Dilemma regarding long-time housekeeper

nottelling
Tue, 21 Oct 2014 04:39:29 +0000

I could use some advice regarding what to do about my long-time housekeeper. She and her husband have worked for me for twenty years. They are lovely people but she is a terrible house cleaner. She is not thorough and just doesn’t see the things that need to be done. When I try to point out issues, she gets very defensive and emotional.

I’ve put up with her terrible cleaning because for a number of years she was a combination housekeeper/ nanny and she was wonderful with my daughter who is now in college. Also, several years ago I had serious health issues and she was enormously helpful. Because of all this, she is almost like a member of the family.

For many years, she worked for me full time and I seriously overpaid her. After some financial set backs I’ve cut back her both her pay rate and her hours. She now comes twice a week for cleaning only (she used to run my errands) and I pay her $300. But she does, at best, only a cursory job. I’m by myself and I’m never home and i don’t cook yet my house isn’t clean.

I now have the perfect excuse to transition – I’ve sold my house and I’ve bought a new place close by. My sister has a fabulous housekeeper with time available in her schedule who would charge way less for a much more thorough job.

So, I’m thinking of letting my long-time housekeeping go. I feel guilty about this because she’s been a devoted (if not skilled employee for well over 20 years.

I’d love suggestions about how to break the news. I plan to offer her severance pay, but I’m not sure how much would be appropriate. Any thoughts on that would be much appreciated.