Housekeeper rates and duties

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pay my hard working husband and wife pair between $180-200 every 3-4 weeks to clean my two bedroom two bath apartment which is about 1000 sf. In addition to exceptional cleaning they change and wash the bedding, wash and dry the bath mats, wash towels and fold them, fold clothes that may be left out and put them away, line the oven w foil, clean the baseboards, get in the shower and tub to clean it, steam mop the floors, pull out the fridge to clean behind it, clean the interior windows etc. They typically spend between 4-5 hrs here and are a godsend to me.

By the way, they asked for $80 and that would be insulting.

What did you mean by that? Actually, giving people a lot more than they asked for is considered a huge insult in many cultures.

It's considered charity and very insulting to their dignity. A small gift above and beyond what they ask, is fine, especially if you say "for your kids" and not them.

They are working at her home for 4-5 hours (each person). So that's 8-10 hours. $80 for that would be downright insulting and taking advantage of them! That's $8-10/hour, and not taking into account that they had to commute to/from your home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pay my hard working husband and wife pair between $180-200 every 3-4 weeks to clean my two bedroom two bath apartment which is about 1000 sf. In addition to exceptional cleaning they change and wash the bedding, wash and dry the bath mats, wash towels and fold them, fold clothes that may be left out and put them away, line the oven w foil, clean the baseboards, get in the shower and tub to clean it, steam mop the floors, pull out the fridge to clean behind it, clean the interior windows etc. They typically spend between 4-5 hrs here and are a godsend to me.

By the way, they asked for $80 and that would be insulting.

What did you mean by that? Actually, giving people a lot more than they asked for is considered a huge insult in many cultures.

It's considered charity and very insulting to their dignity. A small gift above and beyond what they ask, is fine, especially if you say "for your kids" and not them.

How is paying people the standard rate insulting to their dignity? It educates them as to the proper compensation in this area for their labor.

Learn more about other cultures.

is this how you justify underpaying your help?