AIBU to think washing up is not the job of a cleaner?

Nope not her job at all

I think your hubby managed successfully to move the conversation from him doing the washing up to the cleaner doing it.
The point is whether the cleaner was coming or not, would he have done them.
Somehow I doubt it.

Sounds to me that DH is trying to justify not doing the dishes... Perhaps get him to clean the loo instead because the cleaner won't have time...

My cleaner is only here for 2 hours every other week, she has 'set' jobs she does, like changing the sheets on my bed as I am unable to do this, but if I want her to do other stuff I just ask her, i don't often leave washing up but I have been quite ill again and 2 weeks ago there were breakfast plate and cup etc and she just washed them while cleaning the kitchen

I quite enjoy washing up if there is plenty of hot water and someone to chat to. However my worst thing ever is to find a sink full of greasy dishes and pots and pans steeped in ice cold water. No I wouldn't be your cleaner if you paid me a fortune!
I have a dishwasher which I like to believe is more economical on water heating and therefore pays for itself.
As for the argument: You know the answer. You are correct because if you left dishes in the sink waiting to be washed every time, you would lose your trusty cleaner PDQ.

If it's been agreed that you clean the pots for your employer - than that's part of cleaning.

When I was a cleaner, for various people over many years, each house was different.
I often used to get a list and just work from it.

Now, I have "a support worker" not a cleaner which may sound pedantic but there really is a difference.

A support worker is not a servant, nor treated like one.

I don't "expect" her to do anything. We work out together, what needs doing (mainly things I cannot do myself) and we have a most friendly and open relationship.

My current girl, Sia was very nervous and timid when she first came to me, didn't speak much and lived in fear (so she tells me) of doing something wrong.

Yesterday, her sixth week with me, she breezed in, gave me a hug, saw a bowl of chocolates on the table (a gift from another friend) and picked one up, 'Is it all right if I have this? I love Cadbuty's Roses!'

It was, of course, that's why they were sitting there but it heartened me that she's obviously settling in.

She who pays the piper calls the tune. It’s up to you surely

It’s almost impossible to get a cleaner around here, after mine moved away I tried every local agency, and even rang an advert on a telegraph pole, no luck.

So, I considered myself so lucky to have had a good thorough conscientious cleaner, that I practically let her set her own agenda. She was wonderful, I miss her .

I am a cleaner an have been for many years, it really depends on what was discussed at the start, I have never been asked to do washing up, my job was to just clean windows floors surfaces etc

I wouldn't automatically expect the cleaner (not that I've ever had one) to do the washing up. As others have said, it depends on the original agreement.

I don't think it would be unreasonable to ask a cleaner if they would be willing to wash up, as a one-off, if you were unwell and unable to do it. You'd have to accept it if they refused.

In this case, if I was the cleaner, I would have to wonder what prevented the OP's DH from doing it.

I have 4 lovely Polish girls who come every 2 weeks for one hour to hoover and dust. I clean my own kitchen but they are happy to do anything and always me if there’s anything pacific that I would like them to do. This morning when they arrived I asked them if they wouldn’t mind making up the bed in the guest room and they were happy to oblige. What I don’t understand is why you’re husband didn’t do the washing up himself. Personally I can think of other jobs that I would prefer the cleaner to be getting on with. I don’t think a cleaner would have a problem with washing dishes but it might mean that you could be left with having to clean the bathroom. I know which one I’d prefer.

I ve never had a cleaner or a dishwasher but I have been a cleaner when I was on my own and the kids were at school and I would do whatever was needed, some people needed the washing up done, some had it all done before I got there
I wouldn’t feel worried I m sure your cleaning lady won’t be upset by it
Cleaning is cleaning after all

but it should have been agreed upon at the start

I think this is key. It’s interesting that some cleaners would do dishes whereas our contract stipulates no dishes, and this means everyone is clear about what the cleaners will and won’t do.

I think your DH is right - you're paying her so she should do whatever task needs doing. I agree this would cut down on her time for bigger jobs though. Best solution would be to get a dishwasher.

I had a cleaner after I had an operation for a few months. Before she took the job I explained what I wanted her to do and asked if she was happy to do it. Her tasks included changing the bed, dusting, vacuuming, cleaning one of the bathrooms, and washing the floors ( I have mostly wood or tile floors.) I paid her by the hour, for two hours, and she would just find jobs to do to fill up the time, including unloading the dishwasher and cleaning windows. She always emptied the rubbish bin and took the bags to the bin store on her way out. She was lovely, very kind, and I wish I could have afforded to have her forever! So no, I don’t think it is unreasonable to ask your cleaner to do the washing up, but it should have been agreed upon at the start.

I don't have a cleaner and have a dishwasher because I don't like washing up. I put the mucky plates in the dishwasher so would never have a sink full of dishes to argue about and the kitchen always looks tidy at least. Tbh I can't see the difference between the cleaner doing the dishes or cleaning the bathroom etc.

Many years ago, when DC were little, I was asked if I would do some cleaning, one day a week, at a family home nearby. I went every Monday morning for 3 hours. At the back door, they had a cat litter tray and it was my job to empty it, clean it and replace the litter. By week 3, I realised that, each time the cat had used its tray, the house holder simply put another sheet of newspaper on top and sprinkled a bit more litter on it. By the time I arrived on the next Monday, the litter tray was stacked high with newspapers, litter and cat s**t and it stunk to high heaven! I didn't stay for week 4!

Not if the person being cleaned for hates washing dishes. ?

I never expected my cleaner to wash dishes, and I always tidied up. But she told me somewhere else she cleaned appeared to leave the whole weeks washing up for her, what a waste of her time!

...?????? Ummm now let me think, ahh I have it I think the cleaner is expecting to do either or both of the jobs mentioned.........But a conversation to clarify is usually helpful.

I`ve only recently acquired a cleaner, through AgeUK. I was told that they do anything I require, but won`t clean the cat litter tray, which I wouldn`t expect anyway. She washes up as soon as she arrives, I told her it wasn`t necessary, but she insisted.

I have a dishwasher, but if I didn't then having just been ill myself I would have been quite happy for a cleaner to wash up as an exception. When I did have a cleaner she told me from the off that she was paid by the hour not the job so was willing do anything, within reason, that she was asked to do.

BulldogPaige, your DH is looking for excuses for not doing it himself.

I do not have a cleaner, but I would not expect her to do washing up, unless I had specifically included ir in the job description. Like you, I would see a cleaners job as cleaning.

There is a simple solution, if you can afford it, buy a dishwasher. They use less water per item washed than handwashing. You can buy small narrow ones that are ideal for 2 person households. You then need to teach DH how to use it!

Well I expect that like most people that have a cleaner my house usually looks great on the morning she comes.
She and I have a great relationship, I leave her to do what she wants to and she can be flexible with her time.
If I was ill and unable to do the washing up she would just do it.
That’s because she is wonderful and neither of us takes the other for granted.

When I was a cleaner I did whatever was necessary to make the house look nice; it didn't bother me what it was. I was paid by the hour so if there was extra to do then they would just have to pay me for more time.