Our house cleaner or "cleaning lady" is a sweet lady. We'll call her Martha. I may need to fire her. Her work is okay. But she, or her random helpers, brutalize our house. A year ago, I had to replace a window for $300 after she or one of her helpers rammed a broom handle through it. I wasn't even notified. I saw the broken window after Martha left. Perhaps she works so fast that she didn't notice.
Yesterday, she broke my Dyson vacuum cleaner for the second time. This time my wife nor I could not fix it and I had to spend $390 on a new Dyson DC39 canister "Animal."
Martha never shows up when she is supposed to, either early or late, which is problematic because we schedule our twin toddlers around her.
Yesterday, my wife noticed a closet safety lock latch was missing and tossed in a toy box.
I get the sense that Martha and her helpers drink a bunch of coffee and go into a fit of cleaning rage, moving like toradoes throughout the house.
Can I fire her? It would be awkward. She was recommended by our beloved neighbors who would see us firing Martha as a criticism of their recommendation. Also, Martha and I would see each other all the time since Martha shows up at our neighbors' house twice a month.
I'm screwed, man.
They may be relieved to be let go. When I had cleaners, a decline in the quality of work was almost always a sign they were overworked, or were bored and wanted to get canned and move on. Give them a 2 month bonus and tell them their services were appreciated but are no longer needed; it's just business, nothing personal.
Posted by: Ed S | July 26, 2013 at 09:29 AM
They sound like my gardeners, who seem to be totally oblivious when they work.
Posted by: Gary | July 26, 2013 at 09:36 AM
IF SHE'S DESTROYING YOUR PROPERTY AND NOT EVEN CARING ABOUT IT. I SUGGEST YOU SHOULD EITHER DOC HER WAGES ARE TELL HER THAT YOUR NOT HAPPY WITH HER PERFORMANCE AND YOU'LL HAVE TO LET HER GO.TALK WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS AND SEE IF THEY'VE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEMS, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO FELL UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE SITUATION. STAND YOUR GROUND AND DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE...
Posted by: melanie phillips | July 26, 2013 at 12:32 PM
...DON'T LET HER USE THE LANGUAGE BEARER, IF SHE CLAIMS SHE DOESN'T SPEAK ENGLISH...IF SHE IS A CITIZEN OF THESE UNITED STATES. SHE MOST LIKELY DOES UNDERSTAND AND WILL PLAY THE "NO HABLA ENGLISH" CARD IN ORDER TO AVOID THE TOPIC AT HAND...JUST SAYING. THIS COMMENT IS NOT MEANT TO OFFENDER...
Posted by: melanie phillips | July 26, 2013 at 12:41 PM
I agree with Melanie. It doesn't have to be personal----but enough is enough. If it matters----they are all hard on vacuum cleaners. Drove me nuts----new vacuum, $500.00 Kenmore, beat to hell in the first six weeks----something that should last many years, flogged to near-death, lickety split. I managed to get it working and now keep it at a weekend house I have and use it gently. I've started cleaning my own house.
Posted by: Angelo | July 26, 2013 at 01:06 PM
melanie, as a complete aside I'm not sure if you realize this but writing in all caps is, in the internet world, tantamount to shouting. So, simmer down! Ha ha.
Posted by: jonnybardo | July 26, 2013 at 01:24 PM
I love to play the NO HABLA ENGLISH card too.
Posted by: Tom Welch | July 26, 2013 at 03:25 PM