Suspect house cleaner is stealing

[Anonymous]

I'm missing a few things and first noticed an iPad missing a few months ago but thought I might have put it somewhere - looked and still can't find but we have a big house but I have looked everywhere!!
Now, my clothing. Weird items - a Lululemon skirt I LOVE, a dress I wore on my first day back at my job (a month ago), a Chanel hat, a white dry fit shirt...
I have a lot of clothes but I know where everything is and it's well organized.
If it's her, she must be selling them because she's about 5 sizes bigger than I am.

I'm going to have to put a camera in my closet and see if she takes anything the next time.

I'm furious as a house cleaner from 10 years ago stole 1k from us my husband had hidden. It was in a safe and she had to rummage around our house to find the key! We got that back as he knew immediately but it's just unnerving.

[Anonymous]

I would trust your instincts. There is probably something about your interactions with her that lead you to feel this way.

I personally only hire cleaning companies who are bonded and insured. I ask for their insurance company’s contact information and let them know during the interview that I have filed claims in the past. I also tell them that we have cameras and that I have a zero-tolerance policy towards stealing.

I would never hire an individual to clean. Too much paperwork with taxes and too much risk.

[Anonymous]

She probably put those items away in a nearby drawer or folded the clothes and put them away

[Anonymous]

She always cleans when I am at work, so I don't have much interaction with her. She does know we have cameras outside the house and can see her coming and going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She probably put those items away in a nearby drawer or folded the clothes and put them away

the clothes were hanging up. I've looked in every single drawer for the iPad

[Anonymous]

Can you ask her? I mean you'll be able to tell very quickly if she is guilty of not. It gives her the opportunity to return the items and I guess, get fired.

[Anonymous]

Why waste time with cameras? Just fire her and get someone else.

[Anonymous]

Clean your own house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Clean your own house.

NP: this is not helpful. For example, I work full time, as does DH and we would rather spend time doing fun things with our kids than with them standing in the doorway of our bathroom talking while we're scrubbing a toilet. So we hire someone to clean for us. Nothing wrong with that.

[Anonymous]

IME whenever I suspect something like this it is always my own mistake and paranoia and the person is innocent.

[Anonymous]

I have a relative who has repeatedly suspected and accused “the help” of stealing and it’s never true. She always finds what she was looking for.

[Anonymous]

Check local laws about hidden cameras

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why waste time with cameras? Just fire her and get someone else.

I want my stuff back.

[Anonymous]

“If it's her, she must be selling them because she's about 5 sizes bigger than I am.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Clean your own house.

NP: this is not helpful. For example, I work full time, as does DH and we would rather spend time doing fun things with our kids than with them standing in the doorway of our bathroom talking while we're scrubbing a toilet. So we hire someone to clean for us. Nothing wrong with that.

you're probably only paying home $10/hr so you get what you pay for.