Cleaners leaving early

[afterpink]

I’ve hired two ladies to clean my house for two hours every fortnight. They work as a team and do a good job.

My issue is that they always leave 5-10 minutes early. If it was one cleaner I don’t think I’d mind as much. But with two it’s up to 20 minutes that I’m paying for and not benefitting from. There’s always something left undone (presumably because they’ve run out of time). This week it was the stairs and the corridor. So it’s not the case that they’re leaving because they’ve run out of things to do.

They seem nice and reliable, so I haven’t said anything. But in three months they’ve never stayed for two hours, yet expect full payment.

YABU - this is the norm, don’t bring it up
YANBU - say something (I hate confrontation so if I do, I’ll probably have to find someone else as I won’t be comfortable with them afterwards.)

I see most people voted YANBU.

Would you fire the cleaners over this? Is that too harsh considering they generally clean to a decent standard?

I think YANBU

I had a cleaner like this once

”Are you running out of time as x doesn’t seem to be getting done”

”I don’t get paid by the time, I get paid for the job”

”OK so could you include x in the job” (it was in the original agreement)

”No because I run out of time”

”How much time do I need to pay for for x to get done?”

”I don’t get paid by the time, I get paid for the job”

Obviously she didn’t last long! I can’t remember exactly what it was but it was something really ordinary like cleaning the shower.

I had a mother and daughter duo that were booked for two hours. The mum would turn up on time, the daughter would turn up 10 or 20 minutes late. I let it slide to begin with but it became a pattern and I was still being invoiced for the full two hours.

I mentioned it and the relationship soured. I was dumped as a client not long after.

My point is, you’re not being unreasonable - they’re taking the piss. But, be prepared to need new cleaners if you mention it.

I’d be nice to them and ask if there has been a problem at home because you noticed that they left early despite still having jobs they knew they could do. Hopefully it will make them feel awkward enough to stick a rocket up their arses and do the job they’ve been paid for.

If the next time, they still leave early when there’s work left to do, pay them less for that clean and then sack them.

They’re probably using the time to travel to their next slot - I would 100% raise it as an issue with them

I wouldn't be so petty as to mention them finishing 5 minutes early, but you should have a list of jobs they know need to be completed in the two hours

Is there a list of jobs/contract of what you expect to be done? It could simply be that they don't want to half finish a job and the work schedule needs to be thought through.

What would be unreasonable is firing without speaking to them about the timekeeping so the best thing to do would be to speak to them about it first, whilst mentioning the things that aren't getting done.

Mine did this and while I was seething but never confronted her she built it up to leaving 40 mins early when I was out. We have a ring doorbell, so I always knew her hours. I fired her straight after that

Are you personally there when they are leaving?
How do you know they haven’t done the stairs? Can you tell it hasn’t been hoovered or you are just imagining it?

I'd complain about them not finishing everything they are asked to rather than adding up their time like that

No, just talk to them!

I'd not be too bothered.

Though we have a situation, I was told house was a 4 hour clean (2 people 2 hours) but apparently 1 person can do it in 2 hours and we pay the same amount.

Sometimes I’m there, but I have a ring doorbell so I know when they come and go.

On that occasion I was there so I know they didn’t clean the stairs. Other times it was things like not cleaning the bath or wiping the mirror, which were obvious.

@afterpink i would mention the early finish and also not pay them the full amount. If they ask why explain that they didn't stay for the full time....

This has happened to me so many times now I’ve given up.
I am disabled as well and believe me I need the help, I’m not rolling in cash, I need jobs doing I literally cannot do myself. Nothing heavy, my house is clean as I am myself it’s more just jobs that are long for me to do.
The last time I was in bed really poorly, team of two for one hour and they left after 20 minutes.
The woman who owns there company has put up a post moaning about clients not paying. I had cash ready every week, in an envelope, wouldn’t dream of not paying.
My original cleaner was my dad’s. It was just an arrangement between me and her and she was amazing. She would literally help with anything - nothing heavy - but it could be anything from ironing a top to helping me bed a few plants in. She retired and I never found anyone like her again.

Id talk to them first. If it was 10mins becuase they were efficient and finished early I wouldnt mind. But to leave early and unfinished isn't acceptable