Widowed mother still uses handicap parking permit
She used to work roughly four hours per visit, and always did a good job. But in the last several years, her work has slacked off. It appears she only works two hours per visit, and I usually end up doing my own dusting or cleaning smudges off my countertops, and cleaning the floors.
I always straighten my apartment before she comes. I only want her to clean, dust and vacuum.
My friends tell me I should fire her, but I don't have the guts. She has always been nice to me and I don't want to hurt her feelings. Should I give her a raise? Warn her that she's not doing enough? Or fire her?
-- Want to Do the Right Thing
Dear Want: You don't have the guts to fire this person, and so you are contemplating giving her a raise. But I fail to see how giving a person a raise when they do a bad job fixes this problem. She is actually giving herself a raise by working half-time for the same payment.
I think it is human nature to gradually lower your efforts with a repetitious job you've done for many years. You should tell her you notice that she is missing tasks that she used to do. Review with her the scope of the job, make a list and ask her to check off each item as "done" before she leaves your house.
Your light housecleaning might not be a four-hour job. Perhaps you should reduce it to three hours and pay her a higher hourly wage.
According to an article published by Angie's List, the average hourly pay for a house cleaner is from $25 to $45.
Dear Amy: I was very disappointed that you neglected to mention the neediest among us -- animals -- when you recommended several charities in your column. You obviously don't care two hoots about the lives of beings that cannot help themselves.
-- Dismayed
Dear Dismayed: I grew up on a farm. I have and love animals. It may be easier to love defenseless animals than people, but in these challenging times, I'm making my own choice to encourage others to try to help people.
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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Amy Dickinson, c/o Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)
