Employing cleaning support during Covid and beyond.

Primrose

Becoming more disabled and thinking it's time to get some cleaning help but I fall into vulnerable group.
if you have a cleaner how do you cope with them visiting  multiple homes, possibly all of who have occupants of differing age groups?  Saw an advert by a local cleaning lady today who tempted me but she had a part time day job and was cleaning several homes as well.
  Two people I know in the vulnerable category who have cleaners have laid them off during this lockdown because of the rising local Corvid spike.   One person still paying her cleaner, the other not.
Can anybody with a cleaner provide some useful feedback please? 

Eg should one pay cash or Into a bank account?  ask for references?  declare on one's house  insurance from a liability point of view?
Does using somebody in this way categorise you as an "employer"i with commensurate responsibilities? 

Thanks.

elsien

Cleaners on that sort of basis tend to be self-employed so no need to worry about employer responsibilities in that respect,
I can't answer your questions about references but how you pay is between you and the cleaner. 
My aunt stopped her cleaner on the last lockdown but has continued to employ her this time round. I think she asks her to wear a mask and stays in a different room while she's cleaning.

Gers

My very elderly mother has a cleaner though the woman only cleans this house.  She was press-ganged into the role by her husband who is the window cleaner. 

The cleaner washes her hands when she comes in, keeps her distance from DM and me and I wipe down touch points after she's gone.  Cash in hand.

I'm sure that if the cleaner worked on any other homes then we'd have reconsidered the situation. 

If you can ask for a personal recommendation from friends / neigbours.  If using a professional cleaning company make sure that they have insurance and that the cleaner has a DBS check (in Scotland PVG membership).

binao

If you are in a high risk Covid area, may be a programmable Hoover etc.

Family or friends mutual help for some tasks.

My GP once said, "health before dusting". 

Good luck

pollyanna_26

I live in an area with a very high elderly population and a lot of care homes Primrose.

Among the people I know some have professional cleaners and as Gers mentioned you need to ensure they are DBS checked and insured .

They need to follow covid safe regs and the insurance means they are covered against injury etc. It can cost a lot of money if a cleaner is injured while working.

The type of arrangement Gers has for her mum works very well. If possible go by recomendation if you know someone already happy with the cleaner they or family use. Many here are former well trained care home staff earning some income if their other half is furloughed or sadly made redundant during the pandemic.

Pretty well all I'm aware of do the job as well as a more expensive private company cleaner. Most have visor and gloves and the mask.

Sometimes the lack of insurance can be a problem. I don't believe you would be liable if a cleaner hurt themselves working in your home but have heard of a few cases where they've expected compensation for loss of earnings.

Either my Property or Home Insurance covers anyone visiting for injury or loss. I've never had to claim it but could be worth you checking your policies . Sorry i can't remember which policy it is.

pollyx

bouicca21

I employ mine through a franchise.  More expensive than getting someone direct, but reliable and the franchise owner makes sure they follow guidelines and also ensures they have a temperature check.  

Farway

Mine removed themselves during first lock down but have now restarted with this one, they are self employed and provide all their own equipment, they use my Dyson however that's fine because I don't touch it anyway

I used to pay by cheque, but now use bank transfer

Mostly I was out when they came but with the weather I now go in an unused bedroom [where this PC is] and shut the door until they are gone

SootySweep1

Hi
My cleaner has been coming in but we're not in the same room as her.
Jen

pollyanna_26

House contents ins has the extras Primrose. my new renewal forms arrived today and you've done me a favour by posing your query. There's cover I'm paying for re things that no longer exist. Dd1s bike. She had her insured one stolen from uni. Ins co covered replacement costs. However it's 28 years since graduation! I can see a lot of things no longer needed. I'm able to change the new details for the January contract so it's very MSE.

I'd never advise paying cash even without the pandemic. Farway is using the best method with a bank transfer. It's rare for a cleaner to claim they were underpaid or not paid but it can happen. Bank transfer is quickest, no need to write a cheque. Bank will set up a numbered payment on your current account.. You can make your payments each time by either online or automatic phone system. It takes seconds is tracable through your statements and avoids any misunderstandings.

As others have mentioned try to be in another room while your cleaner is working.

pollyx

rachsecret

I have asked my cleaner to stop coming during this period of lockdown, although strictly speaking she can. We have continued to pay her as she is a single mum with 4 children. Although she's self-employed she isn't sure if she can claim this time around but we will make up the difference in her pay with Christmas coming up it doesn't seem fair otherwise and we are both still working so it doesn't affect us, other than the house being a tip lol!

jfdi

My mum has a lovely and efficient cleaner organised, for vulnerable people, through our local volunteer centre. All the staff are dbs checked and are monitored by the volunteer organisation. Mum pays cash in hand, but a receipt book is used every time. Mumsupplies products and equipment.
The cleaner couldn't start until the first lockdown was over (and the manager did a home visit), but has continued this time. Gloves, mask and overall are worn.