Are you paying your cleaner during lockdown?

Yes I am paying our cleaner....by standing order. As I am full time carer for my husband I am really appreciating why I have a cleaner!

If I had a cleaner I would pay her (or him) what they usually earn.

I, and most other choir members, still pay the full rate for choir sessions even though we have pretty ineffectual, and much shorter, sessions by way of Zoom.

I thought it was awful that so many (though not all) people living in wealthy areas were unwilling to pay anything at all to their cleaners at this difficult time.

Exactly! I just can’t continue paying that amount while we’re money down each month.

Splutter splutter...Gordon Bennett, I could have a week in France (winter rates) plus a suitcase full of Primark clothes for that money.

No I’m not. My husband is now furloughed so his salary has dropped by 20%. With five of us in the house (4 adults and one 13year old) either on furlough, studying or working from home I can’t justify £200 a month for a cleaner who isn’t cleaning.

I'll have to let my ex know that he's been short changing me in the past.
Now where's my calculator and accounts book....rummage rummage....?️???️?

If they're employed weekly, a weeks wages are fair compensation when they finish work.

...'cos I have always done my own dirty work. ??

That's why I pay (and have always paid) my aides/helpers top dollar. ?

I think you are right GabriellaG54, now it’s biting them on the bottom.

Jane10
No. Realistic. Most cleaners don't declare unless they work for a company. Same for gardeners, ironers and everyone in between. Not all ... most.

Yggdrasil, my cleaner won’t find much to do. I’ve really ‘bottomed’ my house. I don’t expect that she can do much in 3 hours a week but she certainly keeps us on our toes.
I’ve done under the beds, cleaned our televisions with a toothbrush. I’m expecting more channels!!
I love her, she loves me so, hopefully, we’ll reach a compromise.,

Gabriella- unpleasant?

I am paying my cleaner. I can afford it. She needed a bit of persuading though. I have told her there will be rather more to do when she can come back as I am not very good at it:-)

I'm paying my cleaner, my ironing lady, my window cleaner, my bedmaker, cook and bottle washer the full going rate.
I'm making a mint.

Jane10
Naïve?

I told my cleaner I would pay her half wages while this lock down is on. She has refused but Once she is back at work I will make sure I pay her fir while she was laid off.

*declare not decare

Some cleaners don't decare cash in hand and that's why they won't give you bank details. I worked for a couple who paid for a carer for their granny. The carer got paid by cheque but asked to have the payee area left blank.
For that reason she was paid less than the going rate
We never knew her real name, just the English one she adopted.

We have had the same wonderful cleaner for nearly 25 years and have always paid her when sick (rarely apart from six weeks after a hysterectomy) and on holiday, so we are continuing to do so. And I appreciate her even more after four weeks of doing it myself! The house looks distinctly the worse for wear without her energetic ministrations. I am desperate for her return!

I think you need to ask her. I stopped my cleaner and said I would obviously continue to pay. She asked me not to. We dont know peoples circumstances.

grannysyb could you get her bank details and set up a direct debit? That could remain in place once things are back to normal too.

When I sent my cleaner a text about having to stop her coming,I asked for her address so that I could send her some money, she wouldn't tell me! I will pay extra after this nightmare ends.

Yes we’re paying our cleaner what we normally pay her. And will continue to do so. We can afford to, so to me it’s the right thing to do.

We’re also paying our ironing lady.

Of course I'm paying our cleaner. I was always paid if off sick or on special leave or even holiday so I feel I'm honour bound to give anyone I employ the same conditions. I know that one other of her clients is doing the same. I can only hope that the others are doing the decent thing.