Having a cleaner. Or not.

I don’t think cleaners are entitled to a coffee break any more than the rest of us - coffee breaks come after a st least two hours and in this case we’re only talking about one hour - however, one hour isn’t much for a cleaner to come out for so I would simply tell the current lady that your needs have changed and you’re re-thinking how best to serve them. Then you can advertise for a cleaner for two hours a week and create a clear programme of work that you know will take up that time - make it plain to the new person that they can take a drink of water or fill up their water flask any time and thst will implicitly say that coffee breaks are not allowed. I had a cleaner once who asked me on arrival if she could make herself a cup of coffee and I also allowed it but I told her because she dawdled with this thst I would start to count her time from the time when she started cleaning and not drinking the coffee - she lasted about six months before I sacked her for continually taking calls on her mobile.

A friend engaged a cleaner to help out in her house when she was working, upshot was that the cleaner took a shine to her partner and when she discontinued the employment he re-employed this woman to help out with their move, the dog could clean better than she ever did and to this day she still has a relationship with him when it suits her. So be careful who you employ and perhaps an agency is best.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

If I was you,I would stop paying her the extra and if she asks why which she will then let her know that her work has declined and if she wants the extra money then she should concentrate on her job and do it right.
Also let her know that if the tasks that you have given her are not satisfactory and shes not on time in the future then she should seek alternative employment.
That way you have given her the option to sort herself out to be punctual and to regain your trust and extra payment.
There are other people who need cleaning jobs so if she leaves place an add in your local shop window for another cleaner you will be a lot happier.
Hope this helps..

I have never had a cleaner. I hate housework, but also hate the idea of someone wandering around my house.
In your situation, Watermeadow, I think that I would do the following. Next time she arrives I would say, in a cheerful way, that all this coffee-drinking was holding up production, and stopping the work from getting done. I would then tell her that when she had finished her jobs I would put the kettle on.
It’s only fair to give her a chance to redeem herself, as you have been going along with her being so lackadaisical.
If she still fails to give satisfaction I could the fire her off with a clear conscience.

I've had 2 cleaners when I was working and OH was working away from home.
The first was a local lady who leafletted the doors saying she was starting up to get off benefits. I gave her a chance for 2 hrs once a week. She spent most of the time chatting to me about how terrible her husband was and how violent he was to her. Sad really but I only had her for 3 weeks then told her I didn't need her anymore. Very little was getting done.
Second time I went to an agency. She was the owner and just set up. Arrived 15 minutes late, didn't touch the kitchen, vaccumed only half the stairs! also jammed up the vac and didn't even tell me, left after an hour and a half the first time then after an hour the second and last time. That was the end for me.
Now I'm retired I am managing ok but if I ever need another cleaner I would look on FB for recommendations

Gabrielle56

You employ a child to Do your cleaning? "Girl" ? Odd way of describing a young (presumably) woman? If a man used that term we'd all be up in arms!

Are you referring to my post Gabrillee56?. The term ‘girl is just a ‘turn of phrase’ and nothing more. I think you must be having a bad day.

You employ a child to Do your cleaning? "Girl" ? Odd way of describing a young (presumably) woman? If a man used that term we'd all be up in arms!

I wonder if this situation developed because you were too friendly? What I mean by that is that, as others have said, she is an employee - there to do a job, not sit drinking coffee. I would never offer a cleaner coming in for a short time, a coffee. Sitting with a coffee happens in people’s breaks at work. A cleaner arrives for an hour or two to work, not to have a break! I am not saying that this is your fault, just that she is taking advantage of your friendliness. She is there to work. If she took her work seriously, she should have refused the coffee and busied herself.

Coast and Katie have nailed it, you write down what you want doing or just verbally then say in a month if this has not happened you say unfortunately she can no longer work for you. My cleaner stayed for thirty years I got her by putting card in the nearest paper shop, she did offer references, but surely we can judge a person? Most of the time I was out at work and when I retired went out when she came. I never minded if she needed to go early or perhaps got through the work quicker. I always paid for her four weeks holiday and Christmas was always double pay, this was my choice. I paid rate for the job too by keeping an eye open what was the going rate. She unfortunately got motor neuron disease and is no longer with us, I did explain too that I had dogs and I got dog keeper and dog lover.

You are not a charity to pay someone for not doing the work and then taking up your time over long drawn out coffee. I would just say it isn`t working for you and tell her not to come back.
There is a lot of trust involved in having a cleaner so maybe a cleaning service once a month might suit better.

I pay the company £17.50 an hour.

Why does she have a coffee, she’s only there for one hour!. I never offer my girls a drink nor do they expect it and they work their socks off.
You clearly didn’t get this right from the start. Get someone else but you must set boundaries and no tea/coffee for a cleaner who’s only there for a short time. She will almost certainly have drinks in her car or in her bag.
I use a cleaning company and they are wonderful. They’ve been with me now for 15 years. 2 girls for 2 hours every 2 weeks.

As an employer you have to separate the relationship, you are paying her to do a job, give her a list of tasks and a reasonable time to do it in. If it’s not being done to your liking say so, you are paying, a housekeeper in a hotel will tell the staff exactly how to do the cleaning.

Before I took on my wonderful cleaners I wrote out what would need to be done in each room. I pay £15 an hour. So it’s £30 for two for an hour. I think having two means they do a more thorough job. One doesn’t want the other slacking. They are an amazing pair. They are MUCH better cleaners than me. House is sparkling when they leave. They are really nice people two. I know how lucky I am.

Simple answer is Yes, tell her you don’t need her anymore and if you do want a cleaner, look for someone else and be very clear about the boundaries, no coffee after etc

I've always had a cleaner - hate housework - and over the years have had the good, the bad and the ugly!!! The best was with me for fifteen years and had the wonderful ability of being able to talk and work at the same time. She became a good friend and we used to meet for lunch after she retired until she died. The worst was a woman I knew who talked a good talk but was terrible just flicked a duster around and was always shaving time off - if I said I would be back at 12.00 and she was supposed to leave at 11.30 and I got back early at say 11.00 - she would be gone. Always difficult getting rid of someone so it is probably best to say simply, 'Things aren't working out so I'm going to take some time to make a new arrangement so I won't be needing you after the end of the month'. She may well be expecting this and indeed wondering how she has got away with it for so long!!!

Before the pandemic I had a great cleaner not through an agency, but sadly she has not come back. I have now gone to an agency which made it much easier to say I didn't want the first cleaners sent after 3 weeks ( 2 ladies, working say 2 hours, 4 hours people time) due to late starts early finishes and generally poor cleaning. Replacements have been fine.
I fully understand your feeling uncomfortable about directly terminating this cleaner's services but please do, even if you invent a reason why.
Re those wanting to get involved in employer/employee status thing, 'cash in hand' cleaners have been a thing since forever, not sure it's your job to check that they've registered as self- employed or not.

Never continue to employ someone who is not giving satisfaction out of pity.

You say she needs the money. She probably does, but it does not sound to me as if she is actually earning it.

I think you should tell her that you are not satisfied with her work, pointing out some specific things that either have not been done, or have been skimped on.

It is unfair to her to tell her you don't need her; you do, if she would do the job properly.

Give her a chance to pull up her socks if you like, or simply tell her that you wish to terminate your agreement as she is not doing the work properly.

If she’s not doing what you pay her for , tell her you’re not happy ?

Maybe just say a family member is going to do it for you

I had a lovely cleaner for years, but at the moment having to manage without (pandemic, her marriage, etc) but I can't begin to imagine how hard it must be to tell her you don't need her, especially as you seem to have formed a bond with her if she's having coffee. I think you're going to have to get firm, either tell her it's not working out or say that things are getting more difficult for you and would it be possible for her to fit a bit more in during the time she's working for you. Then pay her for the time she's actually working, not the coffee time. Good luck.

You sound like a lovely kind person but this is not sensible. In thin times I worked on two cleaning jobs each week to make up my money. Coffee never happened. Sitting down never happened.

I did what was required of me and left clutching my cash. One of my clients did try regularly to involve me in her constant rows with her husband, but I kept out of it.

As the arrangement was made when you were temporarily unwell, she can't be surprised if you don't need her now. Forgive me if lots of folk have told you the same thing but I haven't had time to read everyone's messages as I normally would. All the best !

I remember doing cleaning when I was 16, and the woman used to walk around with me afterwards to check I'd done everything! I had cleaners when I worked full time, it was fantastic to walk into a neat clean house - but it did annoy me she didn't move the items on the worktop and clean it properly!

Watermeadow
Years ago I employed someone to clean who I already knew.
We were friends, and our children were friends, but it did lead to problems, she would bring her three children in the holidays, she would say they would play outside, but that didn’t always happen of course.
I also found it awkward to mention anything I wasn’t happy with.
Eventually when they were all at school, she got a full time job, our friendship wasn’t damaged, but it could have been.