Dilemma regarding long-time housekeeper

Gourmetmom
Tue, 21 Oct 2014 10:28:42 +0000

I would let her go on the day you tell her - you do not want her in your home unsupervised after you’ve let her go, especially if she’s as emotional and defensive as you say she is. Add to the severance pay however many weeks you may have kept her on - she’s not doing much anyway. I would also be prepared that she won’t take it well. It sounds like she’s been taking advantage of you for years (perhaps unintentionally), and it will be tough for the gravy train to stop. I went through a similar situation years ago, and I was shocked at how rude and emotional the woman became after I terminated her - she took it personally and seemed to think that I owed her a job for life.

It is very common for boundaries to blur over the years with people who work in the home…this woman may feel that she IS part of your family, and as such, thinks you owe her a lot more than you really do. You’ll have to steel yourself and expect a bit of a scene…if it doesn’t happen, great, but if it does, it’s best that you end it firmly and respectfully.