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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Consistently late cleaner

27 replies

Cuppateaneeds · 22/07/2025 09:02

I have a newish cleaner. She’s meant to be with us for 4 hours, 9am to 1pm. She is always at least 5 - 10 mins late yet always manages to leave on time or early (and it’s not like she’s all done as there’s always more to me done). I’ve had different cleaners over the years and never come across this before so asking if normal. At 9am I assume we’re the first so don’t understand why she’s consistently late - I know it’s only 5-10 mins but that does add up week on week. She comes by bike and lives only a few roads away so it can’t be traffic reasons. Any previous cleaner we have had would always work later if they arrive later but I’m feeling like with her slightly late starts and early finishes we are paying probably at least 20-30 mins where she’s not actually cleaning as she’s late, getting the cleaning materials from the dedicated area and then putting it away at the end. She’s not particularly fast, chats on the phone constantly, have seen her sometimes just standing over her phone (not cleaning) and standards have dropped already and we’re only about 2 months in. Do I pull her up on timings/drop in standards and speed if cleaning or get rid and move on?

OP posts:
ZepZep · 22/07/2025 09:11

Now is the time to say something. I’d speak to her and say that you wanted to let her know that you value punctuality and that you’ve had a problem in the past with cleaners always turning up a little bit late and not making up the time. Then see what happens. If she still keeps on turning up late then I’d get a new cleaner.
If you say nothing then the situation will obviously not change.

ZepZep · 22/07/2025 09:13

I’d also ask her to minimise or stop using the phone while she works.

Viviennemary · 22/07/2025 09:16

Chatting on the phone is really cheeky and shouldn't be happening. Get rid of her. The lateness is irritating along with the leaving early. But the phone would be a no no from me.

CatsorDogsrule · 22/07/2025 09:23

"getting the cleaning materials from the dedicated area and then putting it away at the end."

Is she supposed to do this on her own time? She should of course be working her full hours, but begrudging her the time it takes to get your equipment to and from your designated space doesn't seem fair and is part of the work IMO.

Do you use a stopwatch for the time it takes her to move between rooms, filling the bucket, carrying the mop and bucket up and down the stairs, etc?

Anyway, it sounds like she isn't a good fit for you and not a great cleaner either, so you should simply cancel her services find someone else. No amount of pulling her up on the issues will change her way of working.

Ellie1015 · 22/07/2025 09:25

I think taking out the cleaning materials and putting them away is part of her work so that wouldn't bother me that she had to do that within her allocated time.

Being late and leaving early and on phone (if slowing her down) would bother me though. If easy to get another cleaner I would do that otherwise I would speak to her about it.

Cuppateaneeds · 22/07/2025 10:11

Thanks for the replies. She seems a lovely girl and when she does focus on cleaning can be pretty good compared to some previous cleaners. So, I plan as some have said to let her know I value punctuality and do not expect her to be on the phone (of course unless necessary/urgent as needed); that her cleaning is of good standard when focused and I’d like to see more if that. I think in my mind I just expect her to be here for the amount of time paid so if she’s 10 mins late she doesn’t leave on time but works the extra 10 mins. I think I was spoilt by one cleaner we had for 4 years and supported through covid who was super diligent and hard working - difficult for others to compare to her for me I think!

OP posts:
TwelfthOfNever · 22/07/2025 11:54

Unless 9-1 is a hard requirement I’d suggest concentrating on “you’re being paid for four hours work” rather than “be here at 9am sharp”.

Cuppateaneeds · 22/07/2025 14:19

TwelfthOfNever · 22/07/2025 11:54

Unless 9-1 is a hard requirement I’d suggest concentrating on “you’re being paid for four hours work” rather than “be here at 9am sharp”.

Yes, this is the primary irk. That when she arrives late she still seems to finish early. And that can then equate to 10-15 mins per 4 hours which adds up to perhaps an hour or more over a month period. I will definitely have a word. If she feels she needs less time and I paid less accordingly, that would be different. But there are definitely areas that are rotated for cleaning and so always additional bits that could be done in the 10-15 minutes difference each week. Thanks for the suggested approach of overall time rather than specific timings.

OP posts:
marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 22/07/2025 14:25

Constantly on phone is a problem. Taking an occasional call is different.

Cacktus · 22/07/2025 17:36

I’d just get rid tbh!

Imusthavemademydeskaroundaquaterafternine · 28/07/2025 22:42

I do not understand, nor will I ever understand, anyone who agrees to provide a cleaning service then agreeing to turn up at an exact time. Only on MN have I ever known people expect it, because in the real world every independent cleaner and cleaning business owner I have ever met (and I have met so very many in almost 22 years of cleaning other people's homes professionally) has agreed a time-frame in which the work has to be done.

Fair enough if someone books X number of hours then the cleaner is legally obliged to be in attendance for that time, but more fool anyone who agrees to be somewhere on the dot - a cleaning service, where multiple homes are cleaned by the same people, cannot realistically tie itself down so tightly, as there are too many things that can get in the way of it being so. }

Now, I am not saying there haven't been times where a client has contacted me to say that they would like me at their home for a certain time to let a another tradesperson in to do some work, or to be there so that they can go out, if it is that I don't have keys, but by & large people tell me what sort of time suits them, and I go within that time-frame. if it's people who go out to work, they pretty much always want me to clean on the days they are not there and will tell me the earliest time I can arrive, and the latest time I must have left by. Betwixt that it's up to me to manage my bookings.

The other point is the age-old problem of cleaners not staying for the length of time they have been hired for. When I started in this industry, there was growing shift towards clients paying for "the job" and not the hours taken to do the job, particularly when the service provider was bringing with them all the tools and cleaning products to "the job". An in-house consultation would take place with the potential new client, during which time the client would outline what they needed and the service provider would tell them what they could offer & to what standard, and provide an all-inclusive price for turning up and providing that service. In the event of a complaint, a customer has no right to complain about the time spent doing the job, or how what time cleaners showed up, or what time the cleaners spent doing non-cleaning things, but they have every right to complain about the quality of the service and the cleaning which did or did not take place.

While the likes of Molly Maid and Merry Maids have stuck rigidly to this way of doing business, many independents still charge per-hour, as this is the only measurable way they can do it, seeing how cleaners and quality of cleaning work varies dramatically. It makes me ever so sad as I have always, always been a huge advocate of per-job pricing (I couldn't tell you the last time I -as a customer- paid for anything on an hourly rate as everyone seems to charge for the work they do, whether that's my accountant or the man who came just after Christmas to decorate my bedroom).

The use of the telephone where clients are around is, in my opinion, poor, but others may disagree. I will frequently use my phone with my headphones in if it is that no customers are in the house, or in rare instances with their permission and only if I can be working in part of the house where I cannot be heard. However, using the phone does not impact the quality or quantity of the work I do.

OP, you need to find a cleaner who charges you for the work they do and not the time you have booked, and you should also reconsider the pressure you put on them for a 9am start. An independent cleaner works for themselves and one who works for a company works for the company owner - in both cases you are the client and not the employer. People tell me their preferences, but as my own boss, I have the final say. If I cannot do what they want, I tell them so. They can only say no or compromise.

ZepZep · 29/07/2025 00:00

@Imusthavemademydeskaroundaquaterafternine
I do not understand, nor will I ever understand, anyone who agrees to provide a cleaning service then agreeing to turn up at an exact time. Only on MN have I ever known people expect it, because in the real world every independent cleaner and cleaning business owner I have ever met (and I have met so very many in almost 22 years of cleaning other people's homes professionally) has agreed a time-frame in which the work has to be done.

I’ve had cleaners for the last 40 years and have only had them start and finish at a set time. As has my Mum and all the friends I can think of. I’ve always had good relationships with my cleaners and with the exception of my last cleaner, have only changed cleaners when I’ve moved areas. My last cleaner worked for me for 17 years and only left after her and her husband returned to their home country. We got on really well and still keep in touch.
I’m clear when I take on a new cleaner I like set hours and this has never been a problem. Obviously if something comes up it’s not a problem but generally my cleaners have always been amazingly punctual. Lots of jobs require set hours, it’s not unusual. I pay a decent hourly rate. I don’t want XY and Z done I want 4 hours worth of cleaning done. It’s not that complicated.

I can see things might be different when it’s a professional cleaning company where the company is trying to maximise their profits.

Imusthavemademydeskaroundaquaterafternine · 29/07/2025 00:08

ZepZep · 29/07/2025 00:00

@Imusthavemademydeskaroundaquaterafternine
I do not understand, nor will I ever understand, anyone who agrees to provide a cleaning service then agreeing to turn up at an exact time. Only on MN have I ever known people expect it, because in the real world every independent cleaner and cleaning business owner I have ever met (and I have met so very many in almost 22 years of cleaning other people's homes professionally) has agreed a time-frame in which the work has to be done.

I’ve had cleaners for the last 40 years and have only had them start and finish at a set time. As has my Mum and all the friends I can think of. I’ve always had good relationships with my cleaners and with the exception of my last cleaner, have only changed cleaners when I’ve moved areas. My last cleaner worked for me for 17 years and only left after her and her husband returned to their home country. We got on really well and still keep in touch.
I’m clear when I take on a new cleaner I like set hours and this has never been a problem. Obviously if something comes up it’s not a problem but generally my cleaners have always been amazingly punctual. Lots of jobs require set hours, it’s not unusual. I pay a decent hourly rate. I don’t want XY and Z done I want 4 hours worth of cleaning done. It’s not that complicated.

I can see things might be different when it’s a professional cleaning company where the company is trying to maximise their profits.

I don’t want XY and Z done I want 4 hours worth of cleaning done. It’s not that complicated.

That's ok so long as you get your time and you are happy with the outcome. I charge for my results, not the time I spent doing it, which is just as well because some days I can be so slow now that my body is letting me down.

Gabitule · 29/07/2025 00:14

op, to avoid an awkward conversation, you could start by asking her, now that she’s cleaned your house for a couple of months, if she think the 4 hours allocated is enough or would she need more. If she says 4 hours isn’t enough, you can reply by saying that you noticed she never quite spends 4 hours in your house so you assumed it was perhaps too long? If, on the other side, she says that 4 hours is too long for what you asked her to do, review the tasks, etc/ cut her hours/ give her more work.

Cuppateaneeds · 29/07/2025 16:02

Thanks for the comments. It’s been interesting to see some different view points. I don’t mind if she’s not dot on time but to consistently arrive a little late and leave a little early doesn’t sit right with me when paid hourly (which is how cleaners tend to charge round here). It would be different if she stayed later when she arrives later, or sometimes stayed later and sometimes left early so there was a balance. As I said, when she’s focused and cleans she’s pretty good, and she seems a lovely person, but then it does make me think about how much more she’d do if she wasn’t chatting on her phone and was focused for a full 4 hours (less of course the time taken to get out and put away the cleaning stuff each end). I’ve definitely been spoilt with previous harder working cleaners.

OP posts:
Foolsgold74 · 29/07/2025 21:05

Address the lateness of course but do you expect her to get the cleaning products out and put them away in her own time?

Imusthavemademydeskaroundaquaterafternine · 29/07/2025 21:08

Foolsgold74 · 29/07/2025 21:05

Address the lateness of course but do you expect her to get the cleaning products out and put them away in her own time?

This is another reason why I decided to never charge for my time - people nit-pick. I'm not saying the OP is nit-picking, but people in general do and will. The thought of being self-employed and then being pulled up for time spent having a cup of tea or a toilet break or anything else makes me feel quite depressed.

Foolsgold74 · 29/07/2025 21:16

Imusthavemademydeskaroundaquaterafternine · 29/07/2025 21:08

This is another reason why I decided to never charge for my time - people nit-pick. I'm not saying the OP is nit-picking, but people in general do and will. The thought of being self-employed and then being pulled up for time spent having a cup of tea or a toilet break or anything else makes me feel quite depressed.

I'm a cleaner. I don't keep clients who nit pick. I'm exceptionally good at my job, so I don't really get any adverse comments but the slightest hint of nit picking and I'm gone!

Imusthavemademydeskaroundaquaterafternine · 29/07/2025 21:20

Foolsgold74 · 29/07/2025 21:16

I'm a cleaner. I don't keep clients who nit pick. I'm exceptionally good at my job, so I don't really get any adverse comments but the slightest hint of nit picking and I'm gone!

No, I'm lucky too, as I have had very, very few who ever nit-picked, partly because I am good at weeding them out before we even start, and mostly because I only work on word of mouth & people don't give my number to anyone they know will be a PITA.

Cuppateaneeds · 30/07/2025 09:07

Foolsgold74 · 29/07/2025 21:05

Address the lateness of course but do you expect her to get the cleaning products out and put them away in her own time?

No I don’t - see my last message where I excluded that!

OP posts:
Davros · 30/07/2025 09:11

Don’t give her a key. I never do, not because I don’t trust them but things happen, emergencies at home, illness etc. we have a key safe

Cuppateaneeds · 30/07/2025 09:12

Foolsgold74 · 29/07/2025 21:16

I'm a cleaner. I don't keep clients who nit pick. I'm exceptionally good at my job, so I don't really get any adverse comments but the slightest hint of nit picking and I'm gone!

Given you’re a cleaner I’m totally interested in your perspective. Do you often use your phone for calls whilst cleaning? Is that considered “normal” whilst doing the job?

OP posts:
Foolsgold74 · 30/07/2025 12:27

Cuppateaneeds · 30/07/2025 09:12

Given you’re a cleaner I’m totally interested in your perspective. Do you often use your phone for calls whilst cleaning? Is that considered “normal” whilst doing the job?

Almost never. I'll take an emergency call but they're like maybe never. I think it's become normalised to some extent but I prefer to focus on what I'm doing and it would definitely slow me down and distract me.

Cuppateaneeds · 30/07/2025 20:23

Foolsgold74 · 30/07/2025 12:27

Almost never. I'll take an emergency call but they're like maybe never. I think it's become normalised to some extent but I prefer to focus on what I'm doing and it would definitely slow me down and distract me.

Thanks. That’s what I’d expect - like most other jobs where you focus on the job and don’t take calls at the same time. I’ll have a word with her.

OP posts:
Imusthavemademydeskaroundaquaterafternine · 30/07/2025 21:51

Cuppateaneeds · 30/07/2025 20:23

Thanks. That’s what I’d expect - like most other jobs where you focus on the job and don’t take calls at the same time. I’ll have a word with her.

I’ll have a word with her.

I would go easy though - It's not abnormal to make calls when doing jobs like this, and she may have a great many clients who don't care / aren't around to care. It's your home and you are paying, so I'd be inclined to explain that her being on the phone simply doesn't work for you, and that you understand it might work for others, but not for you.

I remember a few years back now, when I was part of a team of sub-contract cleaners on a commercial site...I was subbing to a cleaning company (by that I mean the client wasn't mine as it usually would be) who'd been drafted in to support a team of in-house cleaners. Anyway, said client was a very public-facing organisation that had cleaners 24-7, and they had to "release" several of the people I'd been working with, on the basis that they didn't need quite as many as they'd originally thought...only this wasn't true. The real problem was the state of their uniforms, BO, and stench of cannabis.

But as the head of the housekeeping told me, "I am sure they will be fine somewhere else, they seemed lovely people, and someone else might not be bothered by the things that didn't work for us". 😁