Cleaners - are agencies short-staffed at the moment?

[PlinkPlankPlunk]

I have a weekly cleaner via an agency; expensive hourly rates, as I’ve seen in threads on MN comparing the cost. But I’m happy to pay the rate and the cleaner has been excellent. The agency makes a point of arranging the same lady each week so they get to know the job and the house, and you don’t have to talk everything through and show them round every time.

My cleaner had a few childcare issues and wanted to swap days around and I’ve been able to accommodate that each time. She’s now left the agency for another job, which is great for her; I was sorry to see her go as she’s lovely and very good at her job and just got on with it. Since then - and in the last three weeks - three different cleaners have come, which has meant I’ve had to spend a lot of time explaining everything and by their own admission they don’t get as much done as if it were a regular job.

The agency are now saying yet another lady will be coming this week. I wfh while they are here so I can’t keep taking time out to answer questions etc. I’m tempted to say stuff it and see if I can get a regular cleaner from another agency. I assume though that they have some staffing shortages; is this typical in cleaning agencies at the moment?

I suppose the question I’m asking is am I cutting off my nose to spite my face if I bin this agency and look for another; will it be just as bad elsewhere?! And yes I know it’s a first world problem but…

There is just such a huge problem with recruitment all round. I am an employer and struggle to get staff, as do many of my clients.

I don't understand why.

I would be interested to see the stats on unemployment.

Try a different agent or just find a good self employed cleaner. If you offered them the same rate I expect they would jump at it.

I think it is a struggle to get cleaners at the moment. I'm blaming Brexit as a lot used to be European.

I think there is a lot of min wage type jobs around. Cleaning is quite tough physically and although agencies will pay £11 an hour round my way they don't often pay travel between jobs so you'd be better off working a shift at Tesco for 9.50 an hour

Yes and has been for several years. Combination of low pay/being seen as a low skilled job and people thinking they can clean and quickly learning that they really don’t know how, to do the various cleans required of them. When you then add in a lack of training - your result is no staff available. People also see the he industry as a job which can be ditched at a moments notice with no career prospects ( wrong on both accounts) and do not want to come into the industry.
if you get a good cleaner you are happy with - treat them like gold dust!

Thanks all - yes I thought this might be the case. I definitely treat them well and appreciate them but they are just like temps passing through so it’s hard!

I saw on one of the “what are you cutting back on” people saying don’t cut back on your cleaner because they need the work - but it seems like the opposite. I’ll keep a look out for a self-employed cleaner but I think they will be hard to find so will probably have to stick with the agency

You sound like a lovely client - hope you find the right person for you.

A lot of cleaners are expected to drive.

Many women are driving for deliveries now - the money's better and you're not responsible for equipment or dangerous chemicals.