How to Fire My Cleaning Lady?

Just don't schedule another cleaning after this time. If nothing is penciled in then they won't be coming back.

Why fire them?

Just stop scheduling cleanings.

I've sent my last couple cleaning people texts saying their services are no longer needed.

Seemed to work ok

um she was working for a friend a long time ago, lives in the country, holds a job for people in this country, and cant speak enough English yet to understand when and how to work? FIRED... DONT wait, dont text her a reason. Just let her go, and if she has someone ask why, tell them in plain English. I have no problem with anyone from any country, coming to our country for better opportunity. I am married to a foreigner, but I have a problem with someone that refuses to learn their new countries language, and tries to use it as an excuse for not being good workers. If she was told in SPANISH about her times and days, then its not a language barrier issue, its her. Shes not trustworthy, or competent to keep this job with you. She needs more wake up calls.

I'm curious as to why you would hire someone who was referred to you by a person who fired them. If they didn't show up for her, why would they show up for you?

I just text her back and say "You're fired, don't bother showing up."

If she asks for a reason, tell her.

I have never had that problem with any of my cleaning ladies - they have all been Spanish-speaking (from Mexico, mostly, but one was from Guatemala). In my experience, their culture is very much an on-time culture, or at least, this is something they readily understand about our culture. I would just tell your cleaning lady never mind, you don't need the house cleaned anymore. Then go find someone else who is more reliable!

Hmmm... thats a toughy! You sound like such a sweet caring person! Give them a warning. Maybe a letter with a warning will help. But a job is a job and if they arent doing their job that they were hired to do then its time to move on and hire someone will take more pride in doing their job and show up! Good luck to you!

Just don't schedule the next cleaning. Get somebody else in and don't wait around to see if they'll show up.

If this happened repeatedly and also happened with someone else, then they just don't have the ability to be on time. I wouldn't even let her come tomorrow. I would call them and just stay, "Don't come tomorrow. We no longer need you to clean for us. Your inability to be here on time and as scheduled has just become too much for me to accept."

You can like someone. You can want them to succeed. But you are doing nobody any favors by continuing to employ someone who can't arrive when scheduled. You're leaving your house unlocked for them? You're far more trusting than I am. You had her write down the day she could come. She didn't come. YOU had to contact HER to confirm. If she had a conflict, she should have told YOU.

Edit to add: I'm glad you sent the text. Not worth having her come one more time if you don't really plan to use her anymore.

Two options:

#1 Direct Method: Tell them that you need some one more reliable and that they have not be reliable so you have found someone else

#2 Indirect/aka Chicken Method: When they ask when do you want me to come back. Just say thank you.....I'll have to let you know...then never call them back.

I'd vote for #1.

Don't tell them that they are fired before they come to clean. Why would they do a good job? Why would they bother to come?

Just call her and say "Lo siento - no mas trabajo" or something like that. (A lady here who speaks Spanish can tell you better than me!)

It's not worth trying to explain. If they don't show up, they don't show up, and it's evidently something you can't live with. I don't blame you. They aren't going to get ANY better at this, considering they have been fired for the same thing.

Now, if you don't care when your house is cleaned, that's one thing. But either accept their hit-or-miss schedule, or cut the cord all at once - nothing in between.

Sorry!
Dawn

Wait until after they clean. You don't want them rubbing your toothbrushes in the toilet;0)

I was cleaning houses and I went to one and there was a note taped to the door that had my fee for this job in it, in cash mind you, and they said they would not be needing me anymore. If you don't give some kind of valid reason they will wonder what they did wrong.

I found out later the woman and her hubby were not doing too well in his business and they eventually sold this house and moved to a much smaller one. They just could not afford me anymore and this was her way out.

Write a nice note stating that you expected them and when they didn't come you took it to mean they were not interested in working for you anymore, thank them for the work they did and let it go.

"American Expectations?" That sounds racist to the max. If you feel your housekeeper has not shown up due to a language barrier, then go on line to "free translations" and you will be able to send her a message in Spanish. Personally, I would just let her know that her services will no longer be required in your home and find another housekeeper who speaks the same language as you. I suspect if you told your housekeeper everything you have expressed in your post, she would no longer want to work in your home.

I was going to say...
Turn on The (Celeb) Apprentice (with Spanish voice over) and have them watch with you then, when Don Sr. says, "¡Le encienden!"-- or however it's said, look at them as say "Hablando cuyo… ".
You've already got it handled though. Best wishes.