Should I give my cleaner a Christmas bonus when she is having a long holiday ?

oystercatcher

I am disabled and struggle with household chores. Just over a year ago I started having a cleaner come once a week and she has been amazing and made my life so much easier. last year I gave her extra money at Christmas even though she hadn't been coming for long as I was so happy with her help.

Cleaner had a two week holiday in the spring and I just don't pay her, likewise when I go away she doesn't come and I don't pay her.

However she is taking a four week break through December and New Year starting in early December. We are doing our usual 'feeding the 5,000' family Christmas so I will really miss not having her help in preparing for this.

I really don't begrudge her having a holiday, she works hard and deserves a break but I can't decide whether to give her a Christmas bonus since she won't be here at all around Christmas!

What do you think?

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paddy's_mum

Then why not just give her a gift without saying that it's anything to do with Christmas.

If she has been over-and-above helpful for many months, then clearly you feel that she has earned some recognition in a tangible form.

Just say 'here's a little something as a thank-you for all you do and I hope it contributes towards the happiness of your forthcoming break'.

gettingtheresometime

I think you need to the issue of your cleaner having a long break (will you be paying her for this?) and it being Christmas.

If you don't pay her when she has a holiday I think you need to check that you're not breaking any laws

oystercatcher

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

I think you need to the issue of your cleaner having a long break (will you be paying her for this?) and it being Christmas.

If you don't pay her when she has a holiday I think you need to check that you're not breaking any laws

I have already stated that I don't pay her when she is away. She is self employed and runs her own business and I pay her for work as it is done just as I would pay a plumber when he visits and does work .

The problem is she is taking a well deserved break but at a time when I need her most so should I give her anything extra when she isn't there for chistmas.

gettingtheresometime

oystercatcher wrote: »

I have already stated that I don't pay her when she is away. She is self employed and runs her own business and I pay her for work as it is done just as I would pay a plumber when he visits and does work .

The problem is she is taking a well deserved break but at a time when I need her most so should I give her anything extra when she isn't there for chistmas.

I just asked in case you had an employer / employee relationship and she was having the 4 weeks off as part of her 4 week legal entitlement - hence the unpaid fortnight taken earlier in the year.

My comments still stand though - the fact that she is having the month off and you are feeding the 5000 are totally separate issues when deciding whether to give her a Christmas bonus though I sense it may influence your decision.

Mojisola

oystercatcher wrote: »

However she is taking a four week break through December and New Year starting in early December. We are doing our usual 'feeding the 5,000' family Christmas so I will really miss not having her help in preparing for this.

I really don't begrudge her having a holiday, she works hard and deserves a break but I can't decide whether to give her a Christmas bonus since she won't be here at all around Christmas!

Your Christmas plans and her holiday are quite separate issues.

Can you find someone else to help out over the Christmas period? Or get some of the '5000' to share the work?

I give our cleaner a Christmas present whether she's working over Christmas or not.

Lily-Rose_3

Yes I think you should still give her a Christmas bonus.

And I would echo the people who have said check if you meant to be giving her anything when she is off/on hols etc.

Make sure she IS self employed and isn't presenting herself as 'employed' by you.

Pollycat

I thought the idea of a Christmas bonus was to say 'thank you' for services provided throughout the year e.g. postman, dustman not simply because it is Christmas.

paddy's_mum

oystercatcher wrote: »

she is taking a well deserved break but at a time when I need her most

It's still far enough away from the Christmas holidays that you could ask her if she knows of or can recommend someone to come to you just for those few weeks.

If you put it to her that you will not accept her appearing at your door during her break, she should take it that you are not in any way attempting to guilt-trip her into giving up part of her own break.

Alternatively, have you a friend or neighbour that employs someone that you could cajole away for a few hours during your times of greatest need or are there any Mrs Mop agencies in your area that you could approach?

Archergirl

I would give a gift but not money.........and ask the visitors to help out.

oystercatcher

Lily-Rose wrote: »

Yes I think you should still give her a Christmas bonus.

And I would echo the people who have said check if you meant to be giving her anything when she is off/on hols etc.

Make sure she IS self employed and isn't presenting herself as 'employed' by you.

Before she started she told me she kept records, paid tax and NI . What else is there to check ? Presenting herself to who ?