Protocol for cleaners

sarahp

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We just got a cleaner recently (best decision EVER!), who come every 2 weeks and we're going to be away in January for 2 weeks, and having people in our house doing some tiling for us. Their week falls right in the middle of that time, so we don't want them coming that week.

Do we still pay them for that week? I kind of assumed we should since they're relying on us for income.
 

starryeyedtiger

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My mom cleans homes for a living; she's owned her own cleaning business since I was a baby. Despite having a good client base, she still pretty much lives paycheck to paycheck. When her customers cancel or move her around, that puts her in a bind if they don't reschedule sometimes.

I'd say the best thing to do would be to give her a heads up so she has enough advance notice not to come that week and she can put another customer in your spot (so she doesn't loose her income that day). I would then set up another date so she can come back once you guys are in town again.
 

GoldyCat

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Do you have a contract or agreement with her, or is it just a week-to-week job? Definitely give her some advance notice and ask what her policy is.

We also want to see pictures after you get all the work done.
 

ducman69

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Had a cleaning service for the last twelve years until recently.

Heck no you don't pay for services not rendered! I give to charity too, but use actual organizations for that, heh. My last cleaning lady drives a Lexus SUV though, so thats not my primary choice for charity. If you do enough homes working about 10 hours a day, virtually tax free if you don't report it fully as most don't, you can make BANK... but cleaning other people's toilets isn't for me, heh. Its all about getting the right neighborhoods and earning a reputation to be trustworthy, since most service the home with the home-owners away and that is worth some mula.

It is appropriate to give sufficient notice (generally a week), but you don't pay.
 

natalie_ca

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If I know in advance I won't need them, I tell them, and I don't pay them.

However, if it's short notice, like for example I'm home sick and don't want someone coming in while I'm at home in bed, I still pay them for the day.

They are independent contractors, not salaried employees.

I'm on the search for another cleaning person! I had to fire the one my brother recommended because she didn't live up to her own horn tooting! IN other words, she wasn't as good as she claimed she was and from my experience was a pathological liar.
 
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