Housekeeper consistently late

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Forum -> Relationships -> Manners & Etiquette

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amother

OP ↓

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 9:11 am

I have a new housekeeper and I'm wondering how to handle chronic lateness in terms of payment. Besides asking her to be punctual, obviously. If she's 15 minutes late every day, meaning she misses over an hour of work over the course of the week, is it accepted to pay her an hour less than the weekly rate we agreed on?

abbie ↓

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 9:15 am

You need to be direct about your expectation and the agreed upon hours.
It would be unfair to cut pay without first having the conversation.
You can offer her to stay a little late to make up for those 15 minutes so her pay is not affected.

amother

DarkGreen ↓

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 9:15 am

If you asked her to be punctual and she ignored it then you can deduct the amount. But she might choose to quit on you.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 9:17 am

abbie wrote:

I don't need her later, I need her at the agreed upon time so I can leave for work.

So I should let her know that I will be deducting from her weekly payment, and that's ok?

amother

↑ DarkGreen

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 9:18 am

amother OP wrote:

I don't need her later, I need her at the agreed upon time so I can leave for work.

So I should let her know that I will be deducting from her weekly payment, and that's ok?

If you give her advance warning then it’s ok

↑ abbie

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 9:19 am

amother OP wrote:

I don't need her later, I need her at the agreed upon time so I can leave for work.

So I should let her know that I will be deducting from her weekly payment, and that's ok?

Yes, that would be the conversation.
Especially since it's happening so frequently.

amother

Geranium ↓

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 9:24 am

amother OP wrote:

I don't need her later, I need her at the agreed upon time so I can leave for work.

So I should let her know that I will be deducting from her weekly payment, and that's ok?

So you can let her in before work? Or because you need her there for the kids before you can leave?

amother

↑ OP

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 9:41 am

amother Geranium wrote:

So you can let her in before work? Or because you need her there for the kids before you can leave?

To be there for the kids. I'm going to speak to her today. Yuck, I am so avoidant, I'm really dreading this TMI

amother

↑ Geranium

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 9:45 am

amother OP wrote:

To be there for the kids. I'm going to speak to her today. Yuck, I am so avoidant, I'm really dreading this TMI

Yes, you need to tell her to be on time. That's literally why you hired her. What use is she if she's making you late for work.
Either be super clear with her or find someone new

Amarante

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 12:07 pm

You need to tell her that she needs to be on time - really that simple as you are relying on her for child care so you can get to work on tine. If child care isn't part of your explicit arrangements with her, then you need to clear up that misunderstanding.

In your situation, you are not using her just for cleaning services but somewhat as a babysitter/nanny and those kinds of jobs have specific positions.

I have a cleaning woman who comes once a week. I pay her a flat rate to clean because I don't want to micromanage her and she does a good job. If I need something specific I let her know when she comes and unless it is a huge thing it is just part of a flat rate.

I mention my situation because I don't really care if she is a bit late because it has no impact on me. So long as she comes mid morning I am fine but I don't care if she comes at 10 or 10:30

With a nanny or babysitter it is completely different as you need her services to be performed at a specific time.

readreread

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 12:11 pm

I think it's important to know whether childcare responsibilities are part of her job or not. My housekeeper is not expected to take care of my kids; if she were, that would have to be clearly communicated. Maybe she does not realize that is the expectation.

She might ask for a pay raise, if she didn't realize this was part of her housekeeping duties.

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