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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Gardener driving me MAD! Help!

26 replies

StressedOAP · 10/03/2025 10:53

I have employed someone to do my garden for the last 10 years, 2 days a week. He cuts the grass and trims hedges, but doesn't do anything that requires gardening knowledge.

However, he is now over 70, and he has become SO SLOW! Everything he does just takes forever now, and what with the increase in minimum wage etc. I feel so frustrated that even cutting the grass is costing me a fortune because it takes him so long. It would be cheaper to get someone to whizz round with a lawnmower every so often.
Its impacting on my health as I watch him as it stresses me so, and I have now got into the habit of being out of the house on the days he is in so as not to see him working.
Help!

OP posts:

Pootles34 · 10/03/2025 10:56

What help would you like? People to tell you how to sack him? Just drop him a line to say you don't need his services anymore, but thank you very much for the years of service etc. etc.

haufbiskiy · 10/03/2025 11:05

Do you actually employ him or does he run his own business. If you employ him you can't just end the arrangement since he will have employment rights.

Original poster

StressedOAP · 10/03/2025 11:08

Yes, I employ him so if I were to try to get rid of him I would need to show that his job has become redundant and pay him redundancy of around £3k. Even then, if he didn't agree, he could take me to a tribunal.
Even running a weekly payroll for one person has become really onerous!

OP posts:

FedUpandEatingChocolate · 10/03/2025 11:08

Could you get him to focus on the more specialised jobs once a week, and pay someone else to do the mowing?

Only gardeners who actually know plants are few and far between, and you might end up with someone who digs out everything!

Original poster

StressedOAP · 10/03/2025 11:10

I learnt that lesson early on and ensure he doesn't touch any plants. Its really grass cutting and hedge trimming. Struggle to keep him occupied in the winter, and then in the summer everything is way behind 'cos he's so slow!

OP posts:

Seeline · 10/03/2025 11:13

Do you live in a stately home? Employing a gardener for two days a week?

Does he have a list of tasks to do in those 2 days?
Surely if he is not doing those tasks, you have a case?
What's in his contract?

crumblingschools · 10/03/2025 11:15

If you employ him I assume you could go down capability route

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 10/03/2025 11:15

Can’t you discuss it with him? You’ve known him for ten years.
Maybe suggest that you pay him for the task, and not by the hour, so if he wants to take a break for a bit, he can ( but not on your dime).

Chewbecca · 10/03/2025 11:16

Can you have a conversation about retirement with him?

TwinklyNight · 10/03/2025 11:18

Does he have a good lawnmower? Maybe there is one that would speed things along better?

Sunat45degrees · 10/03/2025 11:20

Why are you paying him per hour? Surely you should b e paying him an agreed fee to achieve the grass and hedge trimming? Especially if you're paying him via payroll.

FedUpandEatingChocolate · 10/03/2025 11:22

Oh well in that case I'd let him go, I know that's harsh but you might be doing him a favour?

MrsMoastyToasty · 10/03/2025 11:23

Just tell him that you can no longer afford the service and cancel him.

Get yourself one of those robot mowers.

Feelingstrange2 · 10/03/2025 11:25

There are lots of independent HR advisors who will help you navigate this correctly. Whilst it will cost a bob or two you will know you are doing the right thing as an employer if you use a professional.

Beyondthewindowsill555 · 10/03/2025 11:38

Why can’t you give him notice Op? Within the terms of your contract? Say you are now making other arrangements? Surely that would be perfectly reasonable now he’s seventy and slowing down a bit?

Sorry don’t want to sound mean but this is a bit of a first world problem! If it’s impacting your health then you should deal with it as soon as possible. Dig out your contract, get some advice if you need to, and have a calm, polite chat with him. He may even be expecting you to say something! Whoever drew up the contract must have included a provision for termination or retirement?
You didn’t employ him for life presumably? Good luck!

Bluesoap · 10/03/2025 11:39

It's a difficult situation! I once had something similar - employed a lovely guy to help in my garden, who had a lot of experience, but was an older guy. He was (like you say yours is) SO slow. As I was paying him by the hour, it ended up being really expensive to get the jobs done that I needed doing. After that I ended up getting in a younger guy to help, who was so fast compared to the other guy - I couldn't believe how much he managed to get done in the same amount of time!

I guess with manual labour jobs, sometimes someone younger will often be quicker at getting things done. I imagine it's a tricky situation though, especially if you have employed your gardener for 10 years.

haufbiskiy · 10/03/2025 11:45

It's very easy to make him redundant.

You simply no longer use a gardener for a while. It doesn't sound like he does much anyway. You just need to show your requirement to employ a person to carry out work of that nature has declined.

There is a short process to go through involving a couple of consultation meetings but you can do this from start to finish in less than two weeks. Then you need to either allow him to work his notice (you continue to pay him during this time) or you pay him in lieu. You will also need to pay redundancy pay.

That's it, job done. Its very easy

RandomMess · 10/03/2025 11:46

If the new gardening job requires a much higher skill level and qualifications then that should be fine.

theemmadilemma · 10/03/2025 12:16

I'd agree that some advice about the best way to oust him with least cost to you is probably best.

It is a shame, but I can see where you're coming from and it's a job you are paying for, and if cannot afford or chose to be charitable (and it really is because you'd be vastly over paying) then you need to let him go.

lyricalwindmills · 10/03/2025 12:29

A 70-year-old with 10 years service on minimum wage? I feel a bit sorry for him. He's not exactly choosing to need to slow down is he. And he probably still needs the income?

How are your finances? Can you afford to be charitable? If so I'd let it go or explore getting a local teenager to help with the easy bits.

Chuchoter · 10/03/2025 13:14

You are paying for a service which should be completed in a reasonable amount of time and which he previously was able to do so.

Now he can't do the job as time efficiently and should be spoken to and his hours addressed.

The lawn was previously cut in x hours and is now taking xx hours and as such is not the service you are paying for.

You are not a charity, you are paying for a service which he is no longer supplying in the time you hired him for.

haufbiskiy · 10/03/2025 13:15

Chuchoter · 10/03/2025 13:14

You are paying for a service which should be completed in a reasonable amount of time and which he previously was able to do so.

Now he can't do the job as time efficiently and should be spoken to and his hours addressed.

The lawn was previously cut in x hours and is now taking xx hours and as such is not the service you are paying for.

You are not a charity, you are paying for a service which he is no longer supplying in the time you hired him for.

No. She is his employer. She is not paying for a service.

Diningtableornot · 10/03/2025 13:17

StressedOAP · 10/03/2025 11:08

Seriously you have your part time gardener on a payroll??? How did that come about? Did you not consider the implications?

haufbiskiy · 10/03/2025 13:19

Diningtableornot · 10/03/2025 13:17

Seriously you have your part time gardener on a payroll??? How did that come about? Did you not consider the implications?

Show quote history

most people with gardeners/cleaners etc on payroll also have their own business..

BarneyRonson · 10/03/2025 13:22

Have you had a conversation with him about how he’s feeling? Perhaps he’d like to retire or change his terms of contract? Including him in the decision seems like at least a first mode of operation given that you have had good work from him for years.

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