Diellema

[DarceyK123]

Didn't know where to put this but here goes.

I have a really lovely girl who cleans for me once a week.

I really admire her as her husband left her last year with two girls to bring up but instead of claiming benefits she's got off her backside and started this cleaning business.

I know she's still struggling financially but is soldiering on.

But my diellema is that she's not that good a cleaner.
If she was anyone else or I didnt know her situation I would have got rid of her by now, but cos I do, I'm finding it hard.

What would you do?

[mazie]

Is she not thorough? what makes her not a good cleaner?

[ummmm]

How bad is she?

[Tilly2]

I would speak to her, gently, about one aspect of her cleaning and make some suggestions. Then, when that has improved, speak to her about another aspect. Do it bit by bit.

[Old_Geezer]

I agree with Tilly.

[mazie]

Do you give her a list each week of what you need doing?

[sapelesam]

I'm no lover of the EU, but we are probably the only country of the main EU members where anyone can set up a business requiring a skill, without any training,permits or insurance.

[ummmm]

Housework is a skill?

[DarceyK123]

She just not very thorough in that she never really moves anything or pulls anything out.

There was dust under my breakfast bar where she hadn't pulled out the stools for weeks which I did point out to her, she just said OK I'll do that today.

That's fine but I feel embarrassed having to walk round pointing things out to her.

[queenofmean]

You could try to do what my mum used to do with me regarding chores which if I didn't do I didn't get pocket money

Leave a wee note pinpointing what you would like done and how exactly you want it done.

[jourdain2]

Good idea QoM. I was about to suggest the same.

Sapelesam - in France you have to be paid for such work by a special sort of cheque, so you have to be registered. Any tradesman has to have a training course in how to deal with the paperwork required by law in order to operate before they can get their 'Siret Number' and be legally recognised. I've posted before on how tough the authorities are on anyone operating 'on the black'. Believe me they are hard.

[woofgang]

difficult.....might it work to say to her “today I’d like you to focus on xxx"....and keep it down to one area of the house?
I used to have a lovely bloke come and do DIY for us. He was very good but if faced with a problem, he would get on with another aspect of the job and abandon the bit that was a problem. DH was out at work all day so it used to be down to me to “direct” him. I would have to say stuff like “I know there is a lot to get done but xxx is really important to me and please could you let the rest go for now and just focus on this until its sorted please

[DarceyK123]

I'll try some of those ideas, dont really want to let her go but I end up going over stuff which really defeats the object.

[mazie]

Give her that list, point out what you want doing... Obvious things, like pull furniture out and hoover, dust etc. Good luck with it

[sapelesam]

Many years ago I rang my wife to tell her I was coming home early from Hong Kong. I had got the time difference wrong and it was 5 o'clock in the UK. I asked her why she was up so early. She told me she was dusting and hoovering because the cleaner was due at 8.30 !!!

[Jackdaw33]

I do that. Always tidy up before my cleaner arrives. Daft, innit?

[DarceyK123]

Ah yes, but there is a difference between tidying and cleaning. I tidy so she can just get on with it without any hinderences.