Dilemma regarding long-time housekeeper

Silpat
Tue, 21 Oct 2014 17:13:19 +0000

Nottelling, it sounds to me as if you’ve been more than generous over the years. Now is the perfect time to end your employment arrangement. If you haven’t yet moved to the new house, I’d have the locks at home rekeyed first (do the same to the new house, too, if anyone else has had keys to it.) Then I’d meet with the woman (or the couple, if more appropriate) and tell her that you appreciate her services over the years but can no longer employ her. I would not go into reasons since the move is reason enough. I’d give her a check for whatever she would have earned through the end of this year, but not permit her to return.

I’m sorry if my suggestions sound harsh, but you never know how people will react and I would not want someone back in my home after being terminated for any reason. Your housekeeper should be well aware that she’s not been doing a good job and has been lucky that you’ve kept her on for so long. Despite that, she may feel angry and resentful. You might offer to provide references and suggest that she consider working as a home care companion, but that depends on whether you think any advice would be welcomed.