Firing someone will never be an easy task. Especially if this person is your housekeeper. Chances are they have been a large part of you or your household’s lives. They maybe even have been living in with you. So cutting that off and terminating a contract is never going to be an easy thing.
However, sometimes it is the right or needed thing to do. So how can you best go around to fire your housekeeper?
Why to Fire
Firstly, it is important to make sure you are making the right decision in firing your Housekeeper. There could be several reasons for this – and it can be very personal.
Whatever the reason is, make sure you have thought it true. Perhaps consult another member of the family about the decision. Just to make sure that there won’t be any regrets or negativity to look back on regarding this process. So what could be reasons to fire your Housekeeper?
Personal Situation
This is a tricky one. You might love your Housekeeper, and they do an excellent job. However, there could be changes in your personal situation. Maybe financially it no longer is becoming viable to keep a housekeeper on. Consider options such as reducing hours, moving from full time to part-time might be an option. Some housekeepers even only work once a week per household, so reduction might be an option – if this is something your housekeeper is willing and able to consider.
Skills and Performance
Another reason to consider firing your housekeeper might be due to a lack of skills and performance. This is something to be taken seriously. If you are paying someone to do a certain role, it should be performed well. However, this is not just black and white. Before you come to the point of firing your Housekeeper, sit down with them and have a chat about the things you are unhappy with. It could well be that things improve after this as they might not have been aware of them! Perhaps the cleaning equipment you are providing is stopping them from working well or efficiently. All things to keep in mind.
Having said that, if you have taken all the above steps and things are still not improving, this Housekeeper might just be the wrong match for you and letting them go could be the best for both of you in the long run.
If there is a lack of skills in certain areas, but you feel housekeeper does match well with your family – you can always consider training. In house, tailor-made training for your Housekeeper can make an enormous difference to how they work and perform – or even sending your housekeeper to a group Housekeeping training course can help.
Illegal Activity
This is self-explanatory. If your Housekeeper has done any illegal activity whilst in your working hours, has showed up to work under the influence or has put you or any of your household in danger, you can have grounds for immediate dismissal.
How to fire
Firing anyone is a delicate task and should not be taken lightly. Knowing you are doing the right thing by letting this person go is one thing. Doing it the right way is another thing. Firstly you want to make sure that legally you are taking all the right steps. This UK Government website page can help you along a lot already.
So what is the best way to fire your Housekeeper?
- Follow a staged approach
Meaning that, before you would get to the firing stage – you have a sit down with your Housekeeper and discuss anything you are unhappy with. Give them an opportunity to improve. (This does not count for ‘illegal activity’ as mentioned above). - Do not fire over the phone/email
Keep communication very clear. Sending an email or making a phone call with potentially devastating news for your housekeeper, is not professional. Make sure to schedule in the time to have a sit-down meeting with them, where you can argue your case and explain why you have made the decision you have. - Remain polite
Firing someone can be an emotional and challenging thing to do, and emotions can run high during the conversation. Even if you are letting someone go because of negative reasons, try to keep the conversation polite and friendly. Sympathise, acknowledge this is a difficult thing for them to hear and that you are sorry in having to do this. Even though the end result will be the same, there is no need to make it more negative than it is and everyone will feel better for it.
How can Polo & Tweed help?
So if you have decided to fire your Housekeeper – Polo & Tweed can help you find a new, much better-suited Housekeeper. We are leading experts in finding the best housekeeper for you and your household. We have a very thorough recruitment process making sure only the best possible matches will be selected for you. Let us help you in the search and take all the stress out of it!
Do get in touch with us here and one of our recruitment consultants can talk you through what we can do for you.