Dilemma regarding long-time housekeeper

HarvestMoon1
Tue, 21 Oct 2014 06:06:20 +0000

We faced a similar situation with our long time housekeeper of 15 years. A few years back we began spending part of the year out West, but kept our home in the Northeast. We needed her part time to collect mail, look in on the property and also to work during the summer months when we all came back. But for the 8 months we were away we obviously did not need cooking, cleaning or grocery shopping. I was very upfront and explained the situation and she was naturally upset as she depended on the 40 hour a week income. She told me that she would only work the part time schedule until she was able to find other full time employment. H was very uncomfortable with finding someone else to look after the property and was prepared to pay her the full salary. I felt that made little sense.

This woman is very good so I asked everyone I knew if they needed help. We ended up keeping her for 10 hours a week and our neighbor who still has young children hired her for 25 hours a week. They go away for the entire summer so we will have her back during the summer months when the whole family returns.

In the end, I think you need to do what is best for you, but don’t underestimate how hard it is to find trustworthy people. I would be upfront about your situation but after 20 years I would be as generous as you can with severance. Perhaps you could also talk to your friends/neighbors to help her get situated with a new family.