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?

We discussed this as our cleaner messaged to ask whether we wanted to continue or not. We decided once or twice we would pay if they or we were poorly or self isolating but we wouldn't pay indefinitely as this could go on for months. We got a cleaner last year as a luxury as we were struggling to keep on top of life etc with work and young kids but it's a stretch for us and we sacrifice other things during the month to afford it. If we're all working from home and the kids are off for months too then it would not be practical, and also we would have more capacity to clean ourselves if not commuting.

Three of my customers have cancelled so far. They've all said they want to pay me, but I can't see that continuing beyond two or three weeks. I get some UC so at least I have something coming in, but I am worried. We may be eating pasta here for a long time, not just because of self isolation.

I think that if you have a self employed person - cleaner, gardener, dog walker that you employ on a regular basis but are now working from home or self isolating, you have a duty if care to them to still pay. Obviously if you are not being paid yourself that it is different matter but this is their livelihood and how they pay the bills. My dog walker told me that 10 of her clients have cancelled as they are all working from home and although they are being paid don't need her. I know people will look after no 1 but these are very difficult and unusual times and even if you offer to pay a reduced rate it can make the difference between whether they can pay their rent and buy food or not. I feel we all need to have a social conscious and if we can afford it without suffering hardship ourselves, help others.

A friend who’s a personal trainer had 6 people cancel on Friday. Only one client went to another friend’s Pilates studio on Saturday morning. When gyms close all the peripatetic teachers will stop being paid (David Lloyd have already said this).

Hairdressers are often self-employed too, working out of salons. It's going to be so tough for so many families. If you are fortunate enough to continue getting paid, please consider continue paying for regular services, even if you can't receive them.

I'll be paying mine unless something drastic changes and I can't afford to. She has kids to feed too.

As long as we are getting paid, we'll continue to pay our childminders, even if they can't have the kids for weeks or month, because that's the right thing to do. As I said on another thread, I can't bear the thought that we could make money while other people are on the deadline.

I'm still paying our cleaner and she says it is the only income she has coming in as her other clients have cancelled and aren't paying.

If I’m still being paid I will absolutely carry on paying the cleaner.

We'll still be paying our cleaner, we're getting paid and so should she.

Definitely. It's a precarious living being a cleaner. I love my cleaner (literally), she's been with me for ten years. I don't want her to get ill. And we will still have a household income. She will have zero income if all her clients cancel and don't pay her.

I work FT on a good wage and I can't afford a cleaner. I do have an occasional window cleaner.

How many people on zero hours contracts actually have cleaners? Not sure this is a big issue.

As long as I was earning I would pay. Once my wages take a hit That would have a knock on effect.

We’ve had to stop ours already but we’ll carry on paying her for as long as we can afford to do so.

I think it applies to more than just cleaners but things like childminders and dog walkers too.

My view is that if you can afford it then you should, at least that's the approach I'm planning to take with my dog walker.

My son also goes on a private bus to school and I've heard other parents saying that if they close the school they won't be paying next half terms fee. My view is the bus company are a small local business and will still have premises to pay for rent and rates and drivers to pay so I'm happy to still pay the fee if it means a driver still gets paid and can put food on the table for his family.

Those in a more fortunate position should always help those less fortunate where they can.

Not sure this is a big issue

I think it is. Other threads on here show people are unhappy about having to continue to pay for a service they aren't getting. Cleaners, childminders, nurseries, carers - so many precarious jobs. But unlike local shops, which are harder to support during a lockdown, these are people those of us still getting paid can easier support.

We've had some people cancel, those who are wfh are still paying. One who's wage depends on people going on holiday isn't as they have no work

I will still pay our cleaner, unless there comes a point where we stop being paid.

@forkfun - funnily you should mention the hairdresssers as I thought of my local salon yesterday. They opened a year or so ago and are doing really really well now after a struggle to get started. I would be gutted for the girls if they had to close.. I might try and ring them and see what they think about doing home visits etc rather than people going into the salon.