Still paying cleaner- even if they don't clean?

[Elouera]

I've never had a cleaner BTW! Just interested in peoples thoughts on this. There is notice on my local community group that we should all still be paying our cleaners, even we are self-isolating and not actually having a clean done. I realise they work hard and are low paid, but many of us are also on 0hrs contracts and also not getting paid. Thoughts?

I will continue to pay my cleaner. But I’m in a job where i will get special leave with pay if necessary, so it’s not a hard choice for me.

If you're getting paid, you should continue to pay people as normal. If you're not getting paid but can still afford it, you should continue to pay people as normal. If you are on reduced pay, you should pay people what you can afford. The only way small businesses can get through this is if people support them where they can.

I will. I've already budgeted for it in my monthly outgoings and my income isn't expected to change.

We've asked the cleaner not to come this week as I have a cough. We're still paying her. I'm not sure what we'll do long term..

If you're in a job where you continue to be paid when working from home or self isolating then you should continue to pay anyone whose services you engage that are self employed. If you don't get paid yourself, then It's tricky but even giving a retainer during the worst of it would be a helpful gesture if it's affordable.

Yes, absolutely pay them.

I'll pay mine.
I get benefits so money won't be affected.

I'm not a cleaner but have clients. I've asked that they choose whether to pay nothing, half or full pay. I thought if I didn't ask then no one would consider it. No judgement as to what they decide

It depends on your contract with your cleaner.
The problem for workers like cleaners will be they a) will be the first non-essential to go b) are more likely to be given cash in hand.

I don't have a cleaner but I am planning to pay my childminder if the situation arises as I will be getting paid myself.

If I had a long term cleaner I would probably still pay something at least just as a kind gesture. But I wouldn't pay for nothing for a long period.
Its tricky but one of the key features of a self employed v employee relationship is whether or not a person is still paid when sick or unable to attend etc.

I think if you cancel then you should pay, especially if you want the cleaner to reserve your weekly slot for you going forward.
If the cleaner cancels then it's up to you to decide - it would be a kind gesture to still pay if you can afford to do so.

I had to cancel my cleaner this week as I'm coughing and I have still paid. I want to carry on paying for as long as possible but I will need to weigh up against my own self-employed income.

Was just thinking about this overnight.
We're not self-isolating (yet) but have two pre-school kids. Do you think I should offer to the cleaning company that they don't have to come?

It’s not just cleaners (although that’s all people tend to think of), dh is a gardener. If he doesn’t visit people don’t think to pay him like they may a cleaner, so if he has to isolate we will get zero income for the duration. Remember your gardeners folks!

To add, he doesn’t expect to get paid if he doesn’t or can’t visit, it’s just if you’re planning on maintaining paying a cleaner through generosity then the same could be the case for a gardener.

We have a cleaner, if we self isolate we will pay her, if she needs to self isolate we will pay her, I'm salaried so will get paid whatever so will still pay for services, clubs etc as normal. It only seems fair.

We will as we will still be getting paid.

If you can do so without risking your own financial stability, you should.

For as long as we’re still getting paid, we’ll keep paying our cleaners, childminder etc.

We will pay ours - as we will still be getting paid ourselves it feels like the right thing to do

I have always paid my cleaner holiday and sick pay, although I now can’t remember a time she’s been sick. But I will.

If you have income still coming in then please continue to pay your cleaners, gardeners etc. for as long as possible.
I'm a self employed gardener, if I stop work I have no income. Most gardeners I know earn around minimum wage. We don't have lots of savings to keep us going.
But on the plus side, I am happy to be working outside with minimal social contact at the moment

Our cleaner doesn’t like being paid by bank transfer. I wonder if she will accept it if she can’t come?

I might lose my job today. Unfortunately our cleaner will be the first thing we have to let go. Usually I wouldn’t, I’d expect to get another job very quickly but don’t think many companies will be hiring right now.

I might be very lucky and just go to reduced hours, then we will either pay a retainer or keep her for as long as we can.