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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to pay cleaner half wages if they couldn't get in.

237 replies

couchparsnip · 27/04/2025 12:03

We have a brilliant cleaner who we don't want to lose but I am not sure what the done thing is here and what she would consider fair.
She was due to clean last week while we were on holiday, so we have a key safe so she can get in.

Unfortunately my friend, who was feeding the cat, forgot to replace the key in the safe. So my cleaner arrived but was unable to get in. My friend was at work so couldn't come round with the key.
I need to compensate the cleaner for her wasted time but do I give her the full 3 hrs or 1.5 hours.
She probably spent 15 mins trying to get in and phoning me plus travel time of about 30 mins there and back.
She's employed by an agency and I pay her directly. The agency provides cover if she's sick etc.
Should I cover what she was expecting to earn or just compensate for the wasted time plus a bit extra?

You are being unreasonable - pay her the whole amount
You are not being unreasonable - pay her half

OP posts:
Conxis · 27/04/2025 12:07

You need to pay her in full. She turned up ready to work and it was your fault she couldn’t work.
If you turned up at work and got sent home as the building wasn’t useable for a reason eg flooded you would still expect to be paid

charlieandjenna · 27/04/2025 12:08

She arrived to work and she might be relying on that money

SharpOpalNewt · 27/04/2025 12:09

It may be in the ts and cs that you still have to pay if they can't get access. If she lost the key or something that would be different.

Nopenousername · 27/04/2025 12:09

Do you really need to ask? Have you no moral compass?

LaurieFairyCake · 27/04/2025 12:09

Full amount. This is all on you.

if I turned up to work and couldn’t get in the building I would not expect my wage to be deducted

Clarinet1 · 27/04/2025 12:10

Pay the cleaner and charge your friend?

Mischance · 27/04/2025 12:10

Of course you pay her! - she has a living to make like everyone else! She kept her end of the bargain and turned up for work. The fact that she was not able to do it was not down to her.

Imagine turning up to an office job and finding it locked so you could not get in, then finding you had been docked pay for it at the end of the month!

I cannot imagine why you might think it is OK to not pay her the full amount!

Thewholeplaceglitters · 27/04/2025 12:11

Definitely in full. No debate.

McSpoot · 27/04/2025 12:11

She kept that slot open for you - you owe her the full amount.

Moveoverdarlin · 27/04/2025 12:11

Full amount. Her time was completely wasted. It’s not like she could take on any other work.

WaltzingWaters · 27/04/2025 12:11

Yes in these circumstances pay her the whole amount. I thought you were going to say she couldn’t get in because she forgot her key or some way she was just being a bit ditsy and couldn’t figure out how to get in, in which reduced or no pay would have been appropriate. But as this was completely not her fault in the slightest you need to pay her the full amount.

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 27/04/2025 12:13

Of course you have to pay her, it’s not like she can just turn up and clean someone else’s house in the time she’s allocated to you.

CamillaMacauley · 27/04/2025 12:13

Can’t believe you’re asking this. If you turned up to your job, prepared to work and there was some sort of issue with the building or the IT system and you couldn’t work would you be happy to be docked a day’s wages? What if that meant you couldn’t pay your rent/buy food that week?

AgnesX · 27/04/2025 12:13

Your fault completely, why should she be penalised.

ruffler45 · 27/04/2025 12:13

You have to ask?

mynameiscalypso · 27/04/2025 12:14

For about a month, we didn’t need our cleaner’s full number of hours because half the house was inaccessible. We still paid her the full amount though because we value her and her time. It wasn’t her fault that she couldn’t do the full clean, it was our choice and so it was only right that we paid.

PhilippaGeorgiou · 27/04/2025 12:15

Mortally you are required to pay her in full. Legally you are required to pay her in full. So there's no debate to be had really. Can't believe you think she shouldn't be paid in full - you / your cat-sitter are responsible for her being unable to work and wasting her time.

Hotmess101 · 27/04/2025 12:17

I wish I could afford a cleaner. I wouldn’t treat them like shit on my shoe, that’s for sure 🙃

Butchyrestingface · 27/04/2025 12:18

It's hard to believe this is even a genuine question but then I think of (some) people I've met in real life.

TeenLifeMum · 27/04/2025 12:18

If you cancel or there’s an issue at your end you pay in full. If cleaner cancels you don’t pay.

KittyKat2824 · 27/04/2025 12:18

The full amount of course.

But really interested in why you think any less than that might be an option?

CherryBlossom321 · 27/04/2025 12:20

Many people say they value their cleaners, but they really don’t.

pinkyredrose · 27/04/2025 12:22

Why on earth would you even consider not paying her the full amount?

Onleemoi · 27/04/2025 12:22

Mad you have to ask!

whoisit1234 · 27/04/2025 12:23

Can't believe this question is even being asked