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Original poster

Should I pay her for being off sick?

37 replies

kando · 28/03/2006 11:11

My cleaner was off sick the other week and her payday is coming up. I was just wondering if I should still pay her for the time she took off (she's never been sick before)? She comes to us once a week for 4 hours. Never had a cleaner before so don't know how these things work - no contract or anything like that, we "inherited" her when we moved in (living overseas). DH says we should pay her for the time she was off. Should I?

OP posts:

Tinker · 28/03/2006 11:12

Yes. Shows that your are kind. I know contract workers don't get paid when sick but it's nice being nice.

rummum · 28/03/2006 11:14

My MIL does cleaning, I know she gets holiday pay, I'll have to ask her about sick pay...
Maybe you could write up a contract for her for future reference...

FairyMum · 28/03/2006 11:14

I don't pay my cleaner, but then she is slightly unreliable and off sick quite regularly. I go through an agency and assume they pay her actually.
If I had a really good reliable cleaner who was never really off sick, I think I would have paid her the first time she was off sick or if she was only off sick say once a year.

ScummyMummy · 28/03/2006 11:15

agree with Tinker.

WideWebWitch · 28/03/2006 11:15

I probably wouldn't, eek! I was a cleaner long ago and I wouldn'thave been paid for not cleaning, I was only paid for the hours I'd worked. It is nice being nice though, she'd probably fall off her chair with gratitude if you paid her. So if you can afford it, why not?

VeniVidiVickiQV · 28/03/2006 11:19

pay 50%?

Original poster

kando · 28/03/2006 11:19

OK ladies, thanks for responding so quickly. Paid she will be. Not sure about her being knocked off her chair with my kindness though - she got a large bonus at Christmas time and didn't even say thank you! Still, I shouldn't complain, when we get back to the UK I'll have to do all the housework myself!

OP posts:

blueshoes · 28/03/2006 11:26

Hmmm, I wouldn't pay. Just re-schedule for a day cleaner wasn't ill. In the same way, my cleaner frequently calls to change the day she can come in, depending on her schedule. I am always flexible.

batters · 28/03/2006 11:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

clerkKent · 28/03/2006 13:10

It may be a dangerous precedent - will you continue to pay if she is off sick for 2 months? I don't think 4 hours/week makes you her employer - would you pay your window cleaner (if you have one)?

Twiglett · 28/03/2006 13:11

she's self-employed not an employee

if she's off sick she doesn't get paid

paolosgirl · 28/03/2006 13:12

Legally - no, you don't have to. Morally - yes, of course you should if she's never been off before and if she's good employee.

spidermama · 28/03/2006 13:14

I would pay half like QV says.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 28/03/2006 16:13

All this agreeing is getting a little scary spidermama

batters · 29/03/2006 12:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sunnydelight · 29/03/2006 13:57

If you are happy with her I would pay her as a goodwill gesture (good cleaners are hard to find) but make it clear that this is why you are doing it. Do NOT, under any circumstances, issue her with a contract of employment unless you are willing to take responsibilty for her tax and N.I., holiday pay, statutory sick pay and maternity leave/pay. If you make her status that of an employee you are legally responsible for the above. I always make it clear to my cleaners (when I can find one that isn't a dope head!) that they are self-employed and responsible for their own tax etc. Once they have employee status you cannot pick and choose what you offer.

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 29/03/2006 13:59

hmmm - not sure living overseas whether she'll have all of this statutory sick pay, maternity leave/pay etc etc - don't forget things 'legally' work different overseas

BTW where abouts overseas are you?

sunnydelight · 29/03/2006 14:04

Sorry, hadn't picked up on the fact that you were overseas.

Uwila · 30/03/2006 08:35

I might offer half, if I really liked her and could afford it. (2 hours of cleaning is probably pretty affordable).

You aren't obligated to do this. But it would be generous of you.

Bozza · 30/03/2006 08:41

But of course you could afford it Uwila or you wouldn't have a cleaner in the first place. You wouldn't be getting a relief cleaner, would you, it would either stay dirty for a week until the cleaner got back or you would do it yourself.

EvesMama · 30/03/2006 08:44

if you want to pay her, do so but tell her further sickness will be unpaid, she cant argue really, she has no contract

Uwila · 30/03/2006 09:15

I don't agree, Bozza. Some people have cleaners because they have no time not because they have a surplus of money. But, as I said, a couple hours of cleaning probably isn't going to break the bank. And I would likely offer it. Or give her an opportunity to make up the hours elsewhere (the following week or whenever was convenient).

I do get a bit irritated with cleaners who start tooting employment rights when they are not employees. But, that doesn't apply hear as the cleaner hasn't asked for anything.

Bozza · 30/03/2006 09:27

But as I said if you have no time (and Uwila I know enough about you to know that you genuinely do fall into this category) then the house would just stay dirty and the cleaner would have to deal with it next time.

Original poster

kando · 09/04/2006 12:23

Sorry ladies, I have been offline for a while! She was paid in full for her time off sick, but I have to say if it happens again I won't pay her in full. I'm living in Holland just now, and we kind of "inherited" her with the house DH's company rents for us.

I have to be honest though and say that I'm not entirely happy with her. The problem is lack of understanding what I'm asking her to do - she hardly speaks any English, and as I have a Scottish accent, I don't think she understands half of what I say! When we first arrived, the landlady introduced her to us and asked me what I'd like her to do in the house, and she translated this to the cleaner. I also made up a list of all the things I'd like her to do for me (in writing), translated it into Dutch and asked what she thought of it - ie, could she understand it. She said yes, but I'm having doubts. I've tried to speak to her, but again, she doesn't seem to understand me (or understands me but just doesn't do what I've asked!) I'm not a confrontational person so I haven't really made a big thing of it, but last week she didn't mop any of the floors except the kitchen and hall (all the rooms have wooden floors), didn't clean the bathroom sinks or do any dusting. She's also never done her set hours - 8-12, always leaving at least 20 minutes before she's done her 4 hours. I'm not sure what to do about this as it's really bugging me. Whilst I realise that I'm very lucky to have a cleaner, at the same time I'm getting peeved about paying for something I'm not happy about. Any suggestions on how to handle this? TIA

OP posts:

monkey · 09/04/2006 13:42

I'd suggest you ditch her. You need someone you can communicate with. I'd give her notice & nicely explain you need someone who understands English & also that wooden floors need cleaning. Horrid to do, but I would otherwise it'll bug you forever. And why should she slope off early every time. Taht would get on my tits too

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