I recently hired a house cleaner. I saw her ad online and she's from my neighborhood so I gave her a shot. The first time she cleaned, it was amazing. It took a long time because I hadn't done a thorough clean for a while. She left the place amazing (even folded the toilet paper into a triangle point like in hotels). The second time, not so great. The third time, even more not so great. I haven't reached out for a while and she's been contacting me asking about re-booking. I've been making excuses like I'm out of town or just have too much on the go. (She only cleans when I'm home because I don't allow someone in my place when I'm not there.) I figured she'd just take the hint after not hearing from me but I think I'm faced with the awkwardness of having to say she's fired. Do I do it in a text? Call her? Or just keep making excuses and hope she gives up?
Not to sound like a dick, but you're kind of the asshole here. I know you haven't given me the full story but you've said enough that I can tell you're not a good boss. Now, if you would've said that you've given her feedback on her work and she's still not doing any better, then fine. But, her performance has slipped, you haven't said anything so you haven't communicated that you're unhappy and she likely doesn't know you're unimpressed with her work.
Imagine being in that situation at your job: you think everything's fine and all of a sudden you're told not to come in tomorrow -- by text. You didn't even know they thought you were a shitty worker. Surprise!
Let's stick with your conclusion to fire her. It really depends on the relationship with her. When she's cleaning, are you around and having conversation? Is there personal chatter? Do you know things about her life? Is it becoming friendly? Or is it just that she shows up, does her thing while you do yours and then she's out the door?
You hired this cleaner based on a promising initial experience but the quality has steadily declined. You’ve opted for avoidance, which, let's be honest, is a natural instinct when facing uncomfortable conversations. Now, you're finding that the avoidance strategy isn't working and the cleaner is persistent in seeking more work.
While texting is convenient, it lacks the personal touch and can easily be misinterpreted. Firing someone via text feels impersonal and could come across as dismissive, even if you don't intend it to.
Making excuses is a short-term fix with long-term consequences. It prolongs the inevitable, keeps the cleaner in a state of uncertainty and, frankly, isn't fair to either of you. Plus, the mental energy spent crafting excuses could be better used elsewhere.
Hoping someone will simply disappear is rarely a sound strategy. It puts the onus on them to decipher your unspoken feelings, which is unfair and can lead to misunderstandings.
How about a phone call? It demonstrates that you value the relationship, even if it's ending. It allows for a more human connection and a chance to express your gratitude for her initial services.
Acknowledge her efforts. For example, "Hi [name], thank you so much for getting back to me. I wanted to have a quick chat about the cleaning services." Then, be direct but kind. Here's a possible script: “I really appreciated your initial cleaning – it was fantastic! I've noticed the last couple of cleans weren’t quite up to the same standard. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to go in a different direction for my cleaning needs.”
If you feel comfortable and want to offer constructive criticism, do so gently. For example, "I know it's a busy time but I noticed [specific issue, e.g., some areas were missed or the attention to detail wasn't the same]. It’s possible your time constraint is affecting your ability to address such detail.” Keep it focused on the work, not her personally.
But be prepared for a response! She might be understanding or she might be upset. Remain calm and respectful regardless of her reaction. Acknowledge her feelings without getting drawn into an argument. Remember, if you haven't told her anything along the way, it's on you, not her.
It's never easy to end a professional relationship, but addressing the situation head-on will ultimately be less stressful for both of you. By choosing a phone call and approaching the conversation with empathy, you can navigate this awkward situation with grace and integrity.