WWYD is you discovered your new cleaner (only started today) had used the phone?

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I'd arranged, through an agency, for her to do 2 hours per week. Was enough for the last cleaner we had to do a really good clean on everything except the bathrooms (which I don't mind doing). I had to let the last one go when DH lost his job and now he's back in work, she's fully booked - not surprising, she was very good.

Anyway the new one came for 2 hours on the basis that she'd see how long it took to clean through (except bathrooms) and then we'd confirm ongoing arrangement.

She was just finishing when I got home from work and told me she'd done nearly 2hs 45, so I paid her for 3 hours and we agreed that certain jobs can be done every other week and we'd leave it at 2 hours.

I was pleased, it was a relief to have got a cleaner again and I did think the old one got an amazing amount done in the time. Can't really afford to increase the time - a cleaner is a massive luxury for me, but necessary if DH and I are to maintain domestic bliss (he's by far the more domesticated, but I have more time, although I do work almost FT)

Not long after she left I got a call from someone "returning my call" as he'd had a missed call from my home number. Wasn't me, as I'd only just walked in and turned out the caller was the cleaner's DH.

If she'd mentioned to me that she'd needed to make a quick call, I honestly wouldn't have minded, but in a world where everyone (including her) has a mobile, I really can't see a reason for her to use our land-line, other than for me to pay for the call. I appreciate it would probably only been pennies, even if she had got through, but that's not the point, is it? And it doesn't seem a great start for a job that basically depends on honesty and trust. Or does it matter?

Not saying it is right or wrong but perhaps she couldnt get a signal. Perhaps she called her DH's phone so he could ring her back.

I would have expected her to tell me and I would have expected a bloody good reason for making a call when you are paying for the time spent doing the job (2 hours not being enough to expect a break). In my house there is hardly any signal though, when we have had jobs done all the workmen stride around the house waving their phones in the air while I try to prod them towards the landline

Next week tell her her dh had called you and you would appreciate it if she could keep such instances to emergencies only.

She might not have been able to get a signal, but, my goodness, if I were her I would have told you. That's the least she could have done. I would bring it up with her and see how she handles it.

Yes, maybe she couldn't get a signal, but I've never had any difficulty with any network here. Even so, I do think she should have told me and I can't really see what can have been so urgent she needed to call her DH (on my time) 30 min before she was due to leave anyway.

I know both things are very small and if she was a long serving highly regarded employee I wouldn't bat an eyelid, but you're supposed to be on you best behaviour in the first few weeks of a job aren't you? It just makes me wonder what else might be not quite right iyswim.

My view might be affected by the fact that I was brought up so see use of the phone as a luxury and a privilege. Even when still living at home as an adult, working and paying rent, I would never have used the phone without asking.

Perhaps she was telling her DH she would be longer than 2 hrs as expected. I'd mention it to the agency if I were you (that's what you pay them for) but it's not good form on your first day to take advantage of your employer.

Did the caller say when the call was missed? Someone from your household could have dialed that number earlier in the day or the day before - not necessarily your cleaner.

Why would anyone have been ringing the cleaners house?

Is this really a big deal?- maybe she had a pay as you go phone with no credit and needed to make a quick call. She can't have been long since the person called back after the missed call.

For all you know it was an emergency. For her sake and yours I would get a different slave cleaner. This one is obviously not going to suit.

Before the chippy "oh, jealous of OP being able to afford a cleaner" comments start - I have two. And a gardener.

greggs - I don;t think anyone from my household called the cleaner's DH - wouldn't have his number for a start.

No, the time and cost is not a big deal at all, it the (slight) dishonesty I have a bit of an issue with.

"You don't expect people to use your things, full stop"

So the cleaner can't use the loo? Or make a cup of tea?

(I fear I know the answer already)

Georgimama, actually I left her a very nice card (as I was at work when she arrived), with a note welcoming her and details of where the tea and biscuits are to help herself - so there!!

I'm glad to hear it. I was interested in what cat64 might say to that actually, there are people who think it is perfectly normal to ban cleaners from making themselves tea/coffee.

it's the first time she's been to your house. she didn't tell you she'd used your phone
I'd get a new cleaner

thought so.

meaning I thought that would be what you would say to tea.

depends how long they're there for though - the cup of tea thing - two hours cleaning leaves no time for cups of tea in my book! I used to clean and there's no way I'd have stopped for a cuppa unless I was working for a dear old soul who was really paying for the company as much as the cleaning. all day cleaner/housekeeper obv different rules apply

You seriously wouldn't allow your cleaner to have a cup of tea?

You cannot be British....