Xmas box for cleaner

Mojisola

buildersdaughter wrote: »

A few weeks ago, failing health mad us employ a cleaner

We have used an agency, and our regular cleaner is a lovely young woman who understands how hard it was to hand over some of the maintenance of our home, and she treats it with great respect.

As she is employed by the agency rather than you directly, check whether the agency has rules about what gifts can be accepted by their staff.

The carers who came to my parents were only allowed to accept a token gift such as a small plant or small box of chocs.

Their cleaner was self-employed and so such restrictions didn't apply.

suki1964

Cash, in an envelope with a Christmas card , with a chocolate stocking for the child will be more then enough and most gratefully received

No agency or tax man needs to know and you know the gift is going where required

pollypenny

Mojisola wrote: »

As she is employed by the agency rather than you directly, check whether the agency has rules about what gifts can be accepted by their staff.

The carers who came to my parents were only allowed to accept a token gift such as a small plant or small box of chocs.

Their cleaner was self-employed and so such restrictions didn't apply.

Good lord no! This is between you and her. A gift card would be good, maybe the multi-choice one from the post office. I also like the idea of double pay.

£8.50 per hour is poor pay.

buildersdaughter

Thank you again. The problem with going with an agency is that the pay is 'set' and those of you who 'know' me know that I wish to be fair. Although travelling time, holiday pay & pension contributions do boost it.

sooty&sweep

Hi

I always give my cleaner cash at Christmas in a card.

Very boring but to me the most practical.

I'd have no idea what to buy her & I wouldn't want to get something that she may not like.

Jen

Katiehound

Not sure where you can buy them but 'Love to Shop' vouchers are exchangeable at loads of places such as Wilco's.

Personally I would put cash in a card with maybe a choccie reindeer or two! (aldi has cheap ones) It has nowt to do with the agency.
As you don't know her tastes anything else is difficult. A mini hamper would be possible with mince pies, biscuits, tea, coffee etc but it might not be what she would choose.

If she is with you next year you have time to discover more!

sheilavw

The gift cards that they sell at the Post Office are great, practically cover every store! I always buy these now

pickledonionspaceraider

astrocytic_kitten wrote: »

I remember from being on the poverty line while working, many years ago, that having vouchers to get your nails done when you are desperately short of cash for food can be more of an extra stress than a treat, despite how well meant. Not to make any assumptions about your (or my) cleaner, but it’s always stuck with me.

Hear Hear.

Similar when we on the poverty line - when someone gave me something luxury, such as a tin of quality streets, I used to think I would have rather had the money as I could have made three dinners with that.

My Mother was the worst for this... Buying a kid a toy for £50 when they don't even have a winter coat, or heating on in the house...then she would sit there complaining she was freezing

Anyway, I say give money, op

VfM4meplse

Katiehound wrote: »

Not sure where you can buy them but 'Love to Shop' vouchers are exchangeable at loads of places such as Wilco's.

I would desist: Love to Shop has caused me nothing but trouble.

firebubble

Normally there is a week at over Christmas/NY where either I don't need my cleaner, or she is visiting her family, so I give her the cash equivalent of that week's pay (ie if I use an agency, I pay her what I would normally give to the agency) tucked into a Christmas card. All my cleaners have been thrilled at this.

Cash is king for the poorly paid! A bottle of wine or chocs just doesn't cut it.

Vouchers can also place an additional cost burden in terms of public transport to the shop, or having to 'top up' a voucher that is not enough or is at an expensive shop ie John Lewis, which erodes your generosity. A week's pay in cash, in a card.