Cleaner - voucher or cash?

[FunnyOrca]

I usually give the cleaner a voucher for Christmas. We got a new cleaner at the start of November. She is a lot less chatty than our old cleaner. It was easy to chat to her about what she had been up to and surmise what kind of voucher would be well received.

The new cleaner is a quiet young girl. She is lovely and does a great job. I get very little chat out of her and also she comes at a different time so I only see her for a few minutes, if I’m running late!

I was wondering if just doubling her payment the week of Christmas would be an acceptable gift? I’m also wondering whether, if I do do this, I should split the payment as two into her account so she does not get taxed on the gift?

I would put cash in a card

I think cash is best, but would take it out and put it in a card as PP suggested.

Ah ok, had no considered this. Can I ask why you would do cash in a card over bank transfer?

(I would still give her a card)

Because you said you were worried about tax.

yes, cash in a card, that keeps it separate from any pay.

Either a voucher or cash in a card, not a bank transfer/added to her pay.

If she is claiming certain benefits if this is a part time job it could impact her in a negative way in the long run as may take her over a certain threshold etc. when in reality it isn't her working more, it is a gift from you, but the DWP won't see it that way if it's added to her pay. Hope that makes sense!

Personal preference for me is to give a voucher, that way you know it's going towards something. If I get given cash as a gift it gets spent on odds and ends really and don't really feel the benefit of it!

I always do cash in a card. And sometimes a small box of chocs/treats of some kind.

I pay by bank transfer but I’ll do cash in a card (with a small box of smellies) so it’s kept separate and can’t be confused with pay/wages.

I give my cleaner cash in a card for Christmas, basically a weeks pay. That way it's kept separate from her actual pay so not liable for tax.

Cash in a card and a Lindt Santa or something like smellies as a “wee minding” as my Granny would have said.