Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to fire my cleaner?

35 replies

pooter · 25/07/2008 13:27

Firstly - yes i know i'm a slattern and should do my own housework. But im not going to so there.

My regular cleaner left the agency for a different job, and the new lady just isnt as good. She is very nice and all, but isnt very good at cleaning. Now i would probably just let this go, but yesterday she broke one of my two special wedding glasses, which i was very nice about. but she obviously didnt clear it all up as last night i stood on some broken glass and winded up in A&E.

It could so easily have been my 17mo little DS. Should i say something to her? What? Should i call the agency? Say what? Shoudl i just keep my mouth shut - anyone can have an accident? I dont want to upset her, shes a nice lady (too old to be cleaning though imho).

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 25/07/2008 13:32

Call the agency.

eandz · 25/07/2008 13:42

eh a good cleaner is hard to find. i had to spend over a year testing out different girls and different agencies till i found my current cleaning lady. several times i've found the cleaners standing in my bathroom or kitchen with their heads hanging out of the window smoking senseless. also, i've had girls i've asked to sort out my closet just stuff things everywhere just to get out before their standard minimum 3 hours.... one actually stole eyeshadow/jewelry and was wearing my engagement ring turned upside down... so now with new cleaning ladies i do bag checks. it really bothers me actually.

BlingLovin · 25/07/2008 13:47

why should you do your own housework? you don't cut your own hair do you? or kill your own chickens?

Phone the agency. And make it clear what's expected - including pointing out that cleaning up glass she broke is her problem.

LynetteScavo · 25/07/2008 13:48

Wow - I wouldn't have the guts to do bag check!

pooter phone the agency, and ask for someone else.

LynetteScavo · 25/07/2008 13:48

I kill my own chickens.

eandz · 25/07/2008 13:57

yes pooter, how are you going to make sure the next one is as good as the cleaner you miss?

do you make a list of things you expect at the end of a certain amount of time? i've had to become that anal.

Original poster
pooter · 25/07/2008 13:58

i think i know you are right, but she seems to be a nice old lady and i dont want to hurt her feelings. Am i being a wuss?

OP posts:
eandz · 25/07/2008 13:59

your not being a wuss, your being sensitive...but seriously you want a clean and safe environment and thats exactly what her job is. so perhaps you can point out to her whats happened? does she speak english?

nooka · 25/07/2008 14:04

If she is from an agency you aren't really firing her are you? Just ask them to send around someone new, explaining why. It's up to them what if anything they do about it. Your contract is with the agency, not the individual cleaner. I don't think it is a good idea to let these things simmer - if she does something else you might find it difficult to be nice and she might get very upset.

Original poster
pooter · 25/07/2008 14:47

Right - im going to ring the agency! Thanks for not making me feel like a little old lady basher!

I think im going to do what you do eandz, make up a list of things that need to be done in the time.

OP posts:
NatLex · 16/01/2009 14:59

Looking for a foreign cleaner, Polish, Russian. We are in Harefield village, Uxbridge.
Anyone interested, please reply to this message.
Thank you

BouncingTurtle · 16/01/2009 15:07

NatLex - this is a thread on a different topic.

You need to start your own thread, I suggest you do it in jobs?

PoloPlayingMummy · 16/01/2009 15:07

YANBU if she does a poor job, ask the agency for a different cleaner.

chancelloroftheexCHEQUERS · 16/01/2009 15:09

Why does your cleaner need to be foreign?

BouncingTurtle · 16/01/2009 15:09

Pooter - let the agency replace her, it's not your responsibility.

I would have a cleaner if I could afford it

NatLex · 16/01/2009 15:16

after much research it seems to be a general consensus that foreign cleaners are better than English. Endless cups of tea is one example. Foreign cleaners have an excellent work ethic and try a lot harder, plus use initiative and enthusiasm and treat it as a serious job rather than doing you a favour.

chancelloroftheexCHEQUERS · 16/01/2009 15:19

Really? All 'foreigners' possess these personality traits?

Amazing.

poshwellies · 16/01/2009 15:56

endless cups of tea?

I presume you will pay your foreign cleaner the going rate for cleaning?

mumof2222222222222222boys · 16/01/2009 16:00

NatLex may have a point, but I wouldn't post an advert like that...just a tad discriminatory!

Tamarto · 16/01/2009 16:01

I'd imagine OP has sorted the problem given this thread was posted in July

Tiramissu · 16/01/2009 16:14

I love it when people say '...they have good work ethic..'

Instead of saying '..i want someone who will work hard for peanuts'.

It is the lingo of modern slavery

BouncingTurtle · 16/01/2009 16:24

NatLax - obviously you haven't met my cousin, Inma. She a lazy, ungrateful bitch who wouldn't cross the road and piss on you if you were on fire.
Luckily her younger sister is lovely, bright and hardworking.

They're both Spanish, btw.

Tamarto - I hadn't spotted that

scampadoodle · 16/01/2009 16:28

Do people really assume foreign cleaners will work for peanuts? They all charge the going rate round here.

NatLex · 17/01/2009 06:58

I would pay normal rate for a foreign cleaner, no question about it, might even consider more for a really good one. Work ethic means someone, who is hard working, who takes pride in their job, has high standards and professional.
Struggling to find a good one though. The last lady, who came in for an interview had no enthusiasm, had an attutide, didn't want to clean some surfaces by hand (I don't use mops). Needless to say I haven't called her back and keep on looking.

NatLex · 17/01/2009 07:03

Hello pooter
SACK HER! No question about it. Not only she isn't good at cleaning, she is NOT careful with your things and her carelessness caused you injury and could have potentially done to your son. Nothing to worry about. Just call the agency and say you are not satisfied with this cleaner and would like another one. It is your house and your money.