Hiring a cleaner can often feel like a luxury, a small indulgence allowing us to reclaim precious time in our busy lives. For many of us over 60, it's not just about convenience; it's about getting help with tasks that have become physically challenging. So, when we welcome a cleaner into our homes, we expect a certain level of professionalism and respect for our space and belongings. Unfortunately, for one woman named Sophie*, her experience with a cleaner named Eva* turned from hopeful to appalling in a matter of hours.

Sophie had agreed to a $60/hour rate for Eva's cleaning services, understanding that Eva would be the sole person performing the work. However, upon Eva's arrival, Sophie was surprised to find that she had brought her eight-year-old sister along, explaining that she had no one else to care for her. While Sophie empathised with Eva's situation as a mother herself, she couldn't help but feel uneasy about the arrangement.

A cleaner named Eva arrived with her young sister due to a lack of childcare, surprising the customer, Sophie, who hired Eva for $60/hour. Credit: @kelly198810 / TikTok

The situation quickly escalated from there. Sophie recounted on Reddit how Eva's sister was left unsupervised in her daughter's playroom, resulting in a broken glass bowl that held sentimental value. Trying to remain calm, Sophie instructed Eva to clean up the mess and keep a closer eye on her sister. But the final straw came when Sophie returned home with a special cake for her daughter Alaia, only to find Eva's sister helping herself to it without permission.

The audacity of Eva's response, suggesting that Sophie deduct the cost of the cake from her pay, was the tipping point. Sophie felt disrespected and violated; her home and her family's belongings were treated poorly. She paid Eva for her time and asked her to leave immediately.

The online community rallied behind Sophie, affirming her decision to dismiss Eva. They pointed out the unprofessionalism and potential scam-like behaviour, suggesting that Sophie report the incident to the cleaning agency. It's a stark reminder that only some services are equal, and the importance of clear communication and boundaries must be addressed.

This story serves as a cautionary tale for our readers at the Seniors Discount Club. When hiring a cleaner or any service provider, it's crucial to establish expectations upfront. If you're considering hiring a cleaner, here are some tips to ensure a smooth experience:

1. **Clear Communication**: Before the cleaner starts, discuss the scope of work, any off-limit areas, and specific instructions about food or personal items.

2. **References and Reviews**: Check references or online reviews to gauge the cleaner's reliability and quality of work.

3. **Background Checks**: If hiring through an agency, ensure they perform background checks on their employees.

4. **Supervision**: If possible, be present the first few times a new cleaner comes to your home to oversee their work and establish a rapport.

5. **Agreements**: Have a written agreement outlining the services to be provided, the rate, and any other important details.

6. **Trust Your Instincts**: If something feels off, it probably is. Don't hesitate to end the service if your expectations are not met.

Key Takeaways

• A customer named Sophie hired a cleaner, Eva, for $60/hour and was surprised when Eva arrived with her young sister due to a lack of childcare.
• Sophie encountered several issues with Eva, including Eva’s sister breaking a custom-made glass bowl and eating a special cake from Sophie's fridge without permission.
• After Eva offered to deduct the cost of the cake from her pay, an argument ensued, leading Sophie to dismiss Eva, paying her for two hours of work and asking her to leave.
• Online forum users reassured Sophie that she was justified in her actions and suggested contacting the cleaning agency to report the incident, with some users considering the situation a scam.

Sophie's unfortunate experience is a reminder that while there are many trustworthy and hardworking cleaners out there, it's essential to protect yourself and your home. Have you ever had a similar experience? How did you handle it? Share your stories with us in the comments below. Your insights could help a fellow member avoid a similar predicament.

 

[Pommyoz]

We had Home Care assess us for help with housework.
This young girl came in, and was gone within 30 minutes.
Her tasks were: vacuum everywhere, mop everywhere (lifting up mats) clean bathroom. That’s all.
wiping out shower, vacuuming around and mopping only the bathroom.
We complained, girl left.
Now we have a proper cleaner who is wonderful.
p.s. I owned a cleaning business, so I know how to clean.

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

We had Home Care assess us for help with housework.
This young girl came in, and was gone within 30 minutes.
Her tasks were: vacuum everywhere, mop everywhere (lifting up mats) clean bathroom. That’s all.
wiping out shower, vacuuming around and mopping only the bathroom.
We complained, girl left.
Now we have a proper cleaner who is wonderful.
p.s. I owned a cleaning business, so I know how to clean.

I work via a Platform and conduct cleaning duties as specified by the autistic grandmother. To clean her 4 bedroom house properly, it can take me up to 4 hours. (I also weed her garden and attend to her rose bushes) - I think she is getting good value at my rate of $50.00 per hour!

 

[elaine41]

We had Home Care assess us for help with housework.
This young girl came in, and was gone within 30 minutes.
Her tasks were: vacuum everywhere, mop everywhere (lifting up mats) clean bathroom. That’s all.
wiping out shower, vacuuming around and mopping only the bathroom.
We complained, girl left.
Now we have a proper cleaner who is wonderful.
p.s. I owned a cleaning business, so I know how to clean.

If you are referring to the Govt Home Care programme, you will get a sh*t job from them. They are not allowed to move anything - dining room chairs from around the table to enable vacuuming under the table, a column heater on wheels, behind the doors, dirty laundry basket in bedroom. I had a "girl" for 2 days (1 hour/ day) before I told them to cease the service as I had to get the vacuum cleaner out to finish the job. Unfortunately, management didn't see a problem with the way the work was (not) completed.

 

[Veggiepatch]

$60 per hour for a cleaner? You're kidding!

A job where no qualifications are required aren't even worth that much! As of November 2024, a Level 1 Aged Care worker earns $28.60 per hour. More than what a cleaner deserves.

 

[elaine41]

$60 per hour for a cleaner? You're kidding!

A job where no qualifications are required aren't even worth that much! As of November 2024, a Level 1 Aged Care worker earns $28.60 per hour. More than what a cleaner deserves.

While I agree that the price is exorbitant, I did a quick think about what else they have to cover. They need to cover themselves for business insurance, sickness time, holidays, worker's comp insurance, superannuation. These costs are all borne by the employer for most people but for those who are self-employed they must bear these costs. Considering these costs, maybe $60 was not as exorbitant as I first thought.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Here's a breakdown of the costs for a self employed cleaner on $60 per hour working 40 hours per week, i.e $2400 per week.

Public liability insurance - from $12.50 per week.
Superannuation - $240 per week.
Holiday leave plus loading = $2820 per week for four weeks. Spread over a year - $217 per week.
Sick leave - 10 days a year - $4800. Spread over a year - $92.30 per week.
Total - $574.30.

Take these costs from the weekly wage and you end up with $1825.70 per week or $45.64 per hour - a far cry from the measley $28.60 per hour for a level entry Aged Care worker.

 

[richmich.4422@gmail]

Here's a breakdown of the costs for a self employed cleaner on $60 per hour working 40 hours per week, i.e $2400 per week.

Public liability insurance - from $12.50 per week.
Superannuation - $240 per week.
Holiday leave plus loading = $2820 per week for four weeks. Spread over a year - $217 per week.
Sick leave - 10 days a year - $4800. Spread over a year - $92.30 per week.
Total - $574.30.

Take these costs from the weekly wage and you end up with $1825.70 per week or $45.64 per hour - a far cry from the measley $28.60 per hour for a level entry Aged Care worker.

 

[richmich.4422@gmail]

Hi Veggie,
Once again, you never cease to amaze.
This time with your very intricate breakdown of expenses.

NOVEZAR.

 

[Phil Haar]

Here's a breakdown of the costs for a self employed cleaner on $60 per hour working 40 hours per week, i.e $2400 per week.

Public liability insurance - from $12.50 per week.
Superannuation - $240 per week.
Holiday leave plus loading = $2820 per week for four weeks. Spread over a year - $217 per week.
Sick leave - 10 days a year - $4800. Spread over a year - $92.30 per week.
Total - $574.30.

Take these costs from the weekly wage and you end up with $1825.70 per week or $45.64 per hour - a far cry from the measley $28.60 per hour for a level entry Aged Care worker.

A lot of these . >costs" you list here are for th financial benefit of the self employed person such as putting money aside for contigencies. Super is not a tax but a savings plan /investment

 

[Veggiepatch]

A lot of these . >costs" you list here are for th financial benefit of the self employed person such as putting money aside for contigencies. Super is not a tax but a savings plan /investment

No shit Sherlock!

Is it compulsory for companies to pay for superannuation to subcontractors?

 

[Veggiepatch]

Hi Veggie,
Once again, you never cease to amaze.
This time with your very intricate breakdown of expenses.

NOVEZAR.

Too much time on my hands?

 

[Pommyoz]

If you are referring to the Govt Home Care programme, you will get a sh*t job from them. They are not allowed to move anything - dining room chairs from around the table to enable vacuuming under the table, a column heater on wheels, behind the doors, dirty laundry basket in bedroom. I had a "girl" for 2 days (1 hour/ day) before I told them to cease the service as I had to get the vacuum cleaner out to finish the job. Unfortunately, management didn't see a problem with the way the work was (not) completed.

Just to say we take up all furniture and other things, the mats she does quite happily, because she’s a dedicated cleaner, not a shirker.
The so called OH and S rules are ridiculous and should be removed and researched into what makes a cleaner a CLEANER. The word means to clean.

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

If you are referring to the Govt Home Care programme, you will get a sh*t job from them. They are not allowed to move anything - dining room chairs from around the table to enable vacuuming under the table, a column heater on wheels, behind the doors, dirty laundry basket in bedroom. I had a "girl" for 2 days (1 hour/ day) before I told them to cease the service as I had to get the vacuum cleaner out to finish the job. Unfortunately, management didn't see a problem with the way the work was (not) completed.

I would imagine that it all depends on the HC package the Client is entitled to but not moving anything to clean is not cleaning at all (in my book) - not good enough if you had to finish the vacuuming yourself.