Caught Housekeeper Stealing, Now What?

Call her and tell her you no longer need her services. You will find someone else, but in my mind its better to have dust in the house than someone untrustworthy.

I would fire her immediately. Stealing things, even little things, shows that she is not trust worthy. You won't be able to trust her again, and you shouldn't. I really would not hesitate to send her on her way. You don't know what else she might decide to steal...or is already stealing.

I wouldn't have her in my house again. There is plenty of help out there that is honest. I would call her and tell her that you saw her take your things and that you will no longer need her services. She is most likely going to deny what happened, but you will need to stick to your guns, telling her you actually saw her taking them. Do any of your friends have help that can recommend someone? That is how I found mine. Depending on where you live, I'm sure someone on this website could find someone for you too!

Not everyone is like her. I worked for one of the Dallas Cowboys in his home a few years back and came across $5000 cash or more during the day along with watches, etc. I always put his money where he told me to if and when I found it and I never took any items, ever. He even overpaid me by sending my final check when I quit which I did not work for, I never cashed the check because I did not work for the money. With someone like your current housekeeper...FIRE her! If she is taking small things she will take the bigger things. If she works for a company report her to them. I am sorry that you have to go through something like this, but there are still good honest people out here. :-)

There is some very tactful advice you can use from some of the ladies that responded to you. I agree that you should ask her about the items in question and give her a chance to explain. If she does not come clean you need to let her go.
I was a housekeeper for a few years and I know the trust people expect from you. Sometimes it's weird when I knew people are watching me while I clean to make sure I am not taking anything. Some people are uppity and think all housekeepers or people in service are dishonest and that is so sad and untrue. There are honest people out there and it is too bad you found one who is not.

I find that the items she stole are strange. Could it be that she is very needy? Maybe she does not make enought o afford simple things we all think "of little value".

Although you cannot ignore her stealing and may have to let her go, it does not mean you should be rude or yell at her about it. We never know someone else's situation. Plus forgiveness is divine. Some women who responded to you sounded almost vengful, and that is as sad as the theft itself.

good luck in your situation, and I hope you find a replacement whom you can have more faith in.

That is a bummer. I would be disappointed if I caught our housekeeper steal something. I would definitely confront her and let her know that you no longer will need her services. She will probably steal again and/or you won't ever have that same level of trust. Good luck.

That is #1 rule, you do not bite the hand that feeds you. If you need another cleaning lady, please contact me. I own a small cleaning company, and we are 100% trustworthy.

www.ladywalkercleaning.com
R. Walker
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That is terrible! I would definitly confront her but I would be careful of when and where, make sure you are in a situation where you feel safe.

Going forward I would definitly recommend using a bonded and insured company. My company does background checks and calls all references, and it saves you any possiblity of confrontation if something happens. If you would like check out www.bitabliss.com I give %20 off all first time cleans.

I would of definitely confronted her privately away from your guests the moment it happened. No matter what you should let her go if she stole once she will do it again. You can always find another housekeeper.

FIRE HER NOW! Who knows what else she is stealing...check your kids piggy banks! My niece's sitter stole hundreds of dollars from her over 1 summer.

You would be wise to remember that stealing is stealing whether it be a little or a lot.
It can escalate, that is your family do you really want someone in your home that you cannot trust in these crazy times.

I had a maid for nine years but now that the economy has gone down we can't afford her. Never had a problem with her
if you would like her number let me know

That's why we do not employ a housekeeper.

On rare occasion I will employ someone for a "complete" help me ovehaul and I am working alongside all the time.

I am too protective of what I've worked too hard for to let someone unbonded/ uninsured be in my home.

Most cases, I suck it up and get it done myself. The best way for me to make sure I have everything to my standards is to plan some sort of get together at my home. That way, I have a deadline and I am ready to go.

It is hard to do it yourself.... My home never is perfect... But in know my keepsakes and valuables are secure.

You've got to let her go. If you can't trust her, she cannot work in your house! Your home is your sanctuary. Forever after this, you will take inventory after she comes wondering what she took. Get a housekeeper that is bonded so the company she works for will hold them accountable. I know it is more expensive, but I guess, in a way, you are paying for your peace of mind.
What strange things to steal! Nothing of worth, I don't understand people sometimes.

No second chances. Let her go. Period. And tell her not to ever use you as a reference.

I would simply start off by telling her a few things are missing or misplaced. You could ask her where she placed the pencils, sink mat, and mesh basket. If she doesn't come clean, explain to her that you saw her take them and you are upset and disappointed but are no longer able to have her help you clean. You might also ask if she could return them to you if you want them back. If not, then just simply severing the relationship may be the best thing to do.

The problem isn't just that she took a few things. The truth is that she has dealt with you dishonestly. If she lacks morals, who is to say that she isn't cheating you in other ways. Is she really cleaning to make your home sanitary and safe for you family? Or is she just cleaning what you can see and short-changing you? I would find someone I could trust. Don't have her come back.

www.thosecrazybeans.blogspot.com

I am so sorry that happened to you. I am a housecleaner and would NEVER take anything from a client. You have been violated. I know how hard it can be to let someone into your home on such a personal basis and once the trust is gone, you will have a hard time feeling comfortable again. You definatly need to let her go.
(now here is where I shamelessly sell myself...lol)
When you are ready to hire a replacement, you can contact me and I would be happy to help you out. I clean in Ft. Worth, Keller, area all the way to Euless and Grapevine)

J.

Fire her and get a new housekeeper. Today pencils tomorrow something important - do you really want someoone in your house you can't trust?

Tia,

Listen, if she is stealing from you she is probably stealing from others. If she works for a company I'd report her to her supervisor, if not I would dismiss her immediately, and if she takes anything of true value, then I'd report it to the police. When I clean homes I'm very upfront about honesty. There is a code of ethics that goes with caring for other's homes, you leave everything on the surface you found it, if there is money or jewelry on the floor you put it in one central location for the owner, you don't open cabinets or drawers unless instructed too, etc. Unless she was simply collecting things from a space they didn't belong to put elsewhere, she shouldn't have moved them from the location they were left, and if you were home it would have been easy enough for her to ask you if you'd like them put away. Yes it is very hard to find honest help these days. If you do decide to have grace with her, I would be upfront with her that you noticed she left with a few items the last time she was there and although they were little items she may have taken by accident, she is not to leave the house with something she didn't come with. However, I am not sure how a housekeeper walks out with a mesh basket by accident.

I'm sorry to hear about this. My daughter-in-law and her sister just started a house cleaning business and I can assure you that you can trust them. If you are interested in their info. just email me at ____@____.com.

I work in the office of a housecleaning company, that has been in business 26 years. We do not have a stealing problem. Our technicians are good hearted people and do an excellent job. Would recommend them to anyone. Beck-N-Call Maids ###-###-####

I would definitely have a private talk with to give her a chance to explain. Sounds like she took non valuable things. Seems odd the items she took. See what she has to say. If you aren't happy with her answers or she denies taking things, I'd let her go. There are consequences for our actions. This would be a good lesson for your children. I'm sure they will have questions about her leaving, It will give you an opportunity to talk about honesty, integrity etc. Good luck to you. I know it's an uncomfortable situation for you.

First, are you sure she was stealing them and not just moving them to clean? Next, I would confront her and let her say something about it, but I think I would let her go. If she did that while you were home, imagine what might happen if you were gone.