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Original poster

Do you give your cleaner a pay rise or wait for her to ask?

26 replies

threebob · 17/10/2006 22:08

Because my friend thinks I'm mad for giving my cleaner (she has same one) a rise after a years wonderful service.

I gave her the same % that I had given myself (I'm self employed). I gave myself more than inflation so I gave it to her too.

My friend thinks I'm insane - I think I'm fair.

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 17/10/2006 22:10

No you are right

I am about to give mine one. She works bloody hard and deserves it

Original poster
threebob · 17/10/2006 22:11

So - is my friend tight?

OP posts:
Heathcliffscathy · 17/10/2006 22:11

i think you're fair too.

CountessDracula · 17/10/2006 22:12

yes
as a gnat's chuff

ediemay · 17/10/2006 22:13

I have just done the same threebob. She is always looking for extra ways to help me, I felt it was appropriate to do the same. She has only been coming here since August but has had a huge effect on my life.

PostmanPann · 17/10/2006 22:55

Oh FFS, did you really need the advice/thread? Or are you being purely self-indulgent??

CountessDracula · 17/10/2006 22:56

Chip Chop...

PostmanPann · 17/10/2006 22:58

Countess! Please explain??

CountessDracula · 17/10/2006 22:59

it's a bit like trip trap but for people who are being chippy not trolls

I just invented it

CountessDracula · 17/10/2006 22:59

anywayiamofftobedbeforeigetshoutedat...

xx

melrose · 17/10/2006 23:00

I am now feeling guilty that still pay mone the same as 3 years ago. She runs it as a businessthough and so has "set" fees so thoughts he would put it up (pay £30 a fortnight- so quite expensive anyway!)

Original poster
threebob · 18/10/2006 02:22

Yes I did need the advice - my friend was incredulous and actually made me start to feel a bit stupid to be throwing my money away. But of course there was no way to defend myself without saying - "well I think you are tight."

I did ask her if she got a pay rise each year without having to ask. I also told her I give her a Christmas bonus as dh gets one.

OP posts:
eidsvold · 18/10/2006 06:29

i don't have a cleaner - wish I did - but I would have assumed as you got a payrise each year to keep up with inflation that you would do the same to your cleaner.

Original poster
threebob · 18/10/2006 09:09

I think it's a case of "do unto others". I would hate to have my friend as my boss!

If the cleaner cuts down her hours, I am presuming that she will stay with me, not because I pay more but because I was a nice person to work for.

OP posts:
Blu · 18/10/2006 09:18

We give our cleaner a payrise on an annual basis - inflation, and then round it up to the nearest £5 for the whole stint, iyswim.

HallgerdaLongcloak · 18/10/2006 09:33

The cleaning agency advises me when a pay rise is due. I act on their advice. They did once create an unnecessary industrial relations issue once by telling the cleaner she was due a rise and me that she wasn't, mind. I've only had a few cleaners who have stayed for more than a year, so the issue has not arisen very often.

Original poster
threebob · 02/11/2006 23:24

"If the cleaner cuts down her hours, I am presuming that she will stay with me, not because I pay more but because I was a nice person to work for. "

Well that didn't work out like I intended. Cleaner is cutting down her hours and has cut me out as I have the biggest house. That's the last time I recommend a cleaner to a friend!

She says she feels sorry for my friend because she has twins. I bet she wouldn't feel so sorry for her if she knew about our conversation.

Obviously I'm disappointed - but I still think I did absolutely the right thing.

OP posts:
goreousgirl · 02/11/2006 23:39

Oh - threebob - you poor thing! I am very generous with our cleaner - she has been here for 3 years and does a few of our neighbours houses. I have kind of 'accidentally' got into paying her around 20% more than the others (because I have kids, it's hard work, she's loyal, reliable and I round up etc)and on top of that I give her 1 hour more than she works each week (long story) - I can't offer her any more money now - as we've taken a financial hit -and wierdly, I would like to either cut back the money or get her to do more hours for the money - obviously I can't, but I do regret being so generous now.....(I sound so mean)!

Original poster
threebob · 03/11/2006 00:32

I have decided it won't kill me to do it myself until the end of term - except that I have an assignment due. Oh, well I don't think anyone will care if the bathrooms aren't done until Dec.

OP posts:
poppynboo · 03/11/2006 03:11

I tend to increase how much I pay at the end of the year, generally by uppering her hourly rate.
This said, I'd pay her what ever she asked 'cause she's fab and I couldn't do without her.
She also looks after the cats when we go away so I tend to tip quite heavily for that and always do a Christmas thank you.
Your friend is lucky she hasn't lost her cleaner, in the end if you have a good one - its worth treating them well to keep them!

Original poster
threebob · 03/11/2006 05:30

I can't bring myself to talk to friend, though if she does boast I can always say that the cleaner did mention she felt sorry for her because her house was always such a tip it was obvious she couldn't cope without her.

OP posts:
earlgrey · 03/11/2006 05:32

Wait for her to ask.

Not that I've got one any more.

Maybe that's why

earlgrey · 03/11/2006 05:34

Did give her £100 ever Xmas though, and at the time (2 years ago in Oxon) she was charging the going rate - about £7.50 IIRC.

Original poster
threebob · 03/11/2006 06:22

From my experience I would say a pay rise isn't the motivator I thought it would be - being so slovenly the cleaner feels really useful is obviously the way forward!

OP posts:
Loshad · 03/11/2006 19:20

I think you were being very fair, sorry to hear about the whole saga though.

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