Why can't I sack my cleaner?!

[MtnBikeChick]

I have been on maternity for a few months and am going back to work shortly. We have had a cleaner for a number of years. She has never been particularly good, but is reliable and does the bare minimum we need. We feel for her as she suffered an awful family tragedy last year. I want to change cleaner. When I go back to work I want someone to come twice a week and do more than she does (laundry, unpacking grocery delivery, etc). Basically I need to fire her but I just don't know how! I am able to do these things in my paid job but seemingly not at home! Help!

Good luck with finding someone who will unpack shopping and do laundry - cleaners seem to have problems cleaning loos if MN threads are anything to go by

Can't you just tell her that money is really short at the moment and you are having to cut back on certain things? Give her a card and keep it really nice etc

LadyGrace how much do you pay yours?

Hey.....but if this thread had been in employment and a MN'er had posted she was trying to be sacked we'd be all outraged.

She has an employment relationship with you and you need to tell her what you need her to do.

How would you feel if you'd done job for years and suddenly your boss fires you.

I have just re-read the messages below and got more outraged.

She's not the OP's employee. She's a self employed cleaner providing a service. If the service isn't up to scratch, you just need to (nicely) say you no longer need her.

Don't get it.

She has worked for you for years and as far as she is concerned one day you decide to fire her.

Thats not right.

Indaba you seem to be unaware of the difference between an employee and a contract for services. The cleaner is not an employee.

Err the legal thing is not the issue really is it? How can someone work for you for so long and it is only now you realise what she is doing is not right. She doesn't do what you want because you have not directed her well enough - it is your responsibility to try and put this right before you fire her. You are being mean and taking the coward's way out rather than have a difficult conversation and potentially saving her job.

Let's hope that your employer doesn't take the same tac with you and decides to replace you rather than manage you.

The legal thing is the point actually; the OP isn't the cleaner's employer so how I would feel if my employer sacked me is pretty much irrelevant.

According to some people on this thread the OP has no apparent right to stop using the cleaner, ever. Which is nonsense.

Well the cleaner could just as easily decide she wasn't coming to work the next day.
I would say to her that sadly you can no longer afford it.
When looking for a new person be very specific about the jobs you want doing. It's not just cleaning it's housekeeping/mother's help.
I have a brilliant lady atm she does everything. I'm going to chain her to the table if she ever wants to leave

Might it be possible to ask her to do the extra stuff? Just explain that your needs have changed & you now need someone (first refusal going to her) to unpack shopping etc?

She is self employed. If she decides it's not a service she wants to provide, she can then 'sack' you...problem solved.

Would you be willing to pay a bit more for 'housekeeping' type services?

People's expectations evolve. The customer often (having raised the bar by having a cleaner) gets used to a certain level of support and cleanliness; the cleaner often gets used to doing things a certain way which isn't commented on negatively so even when for example the customer notices that the loo is only superficially cleaned, they don't say anything so the cleaner doesn't know. Vicious circle. I've sacked cleaners. I sit them down and tell them the situation - that our needs have changed and that while I'd like to keep them on, I really can't but that I'll be glad to give them a few weeks pay and a reference (unless they are utterly shit in which case obviously not).

ATEOTD if I went to work and did the bare minimum and my boss wanted to sack me I'd hardly be surprised would I?

And cleaning is not a permanent career for most people - they do it for a bit. Or they do it long term but clients evolve. My current cleaner is just doing it because it fits in with childcare and she needs the money. When her youngest goes to school she'll find another job. I don't really get your point Indaba.

IME cleaners start of reasonably enthusiastically then they slacken off and see what they can get away with.As this can happen very gradually it's difficult for the employer to notice straight away, it's only a while down the line and then it's too late to address things properly.
I think it is nigh on impossible to sit someone down and tell them you want more work out of them. They won't do it. Of course if what you hope is that they will leave anyway then it's a good way to get someone to sack themselves.

Having re-read the OPs , I was guilty in inferring you were not going to treat her fairly. Sorry! I was wrong.

I do understand the difference between an employee and contractor. And you have every right to terminate her services.

However, I would expect you to give fair notice to her. Whether someone has a piece of paper or not, I think fair notice is the right thing to do. You may decide to pay her the money and not ask her to come in.

Typically notice is a month plus a week for each year she has worked for you.

Contractually, she has no rights....I am talking about fairness. She has worked for you for a number of years and as far as I know she may think she has been doing an ok job.

Good luck and I hope things work out for you all.

i'd simply say you're short on cash and need to temporarily stop using her. tell her you'll keep her number etc as hopefully in a years time you'll be better off.

if she hasn't been doing the job you've been paying her for then i wouldn't worry about upsetting her too much.