You may or may not be someone who is used to being a “boss.” However, this is your role when you hire someone to clean your house on a regular basis. If you’ve never had to deal with an employer/employee relationship, there are a few things you should know to help that relationship be successful.
Know Your Own Standard
Before you hire a housekeeper, reflect on exactly what you need to have done in your home. Are you looking for someone who will clean all parts of the bathroom twice a week? Is daily vacuuming a necessity for you? Do you expect someone to run errands or watch the kids for you if needed? Make a list of your non-negotiables.
Once you’ve done this, you will be ready to make inquiries and interview potential housekeepers or services to see who will best meet your needs.
Communicate Your Standard
You may have already interviewed and hired a housekeeper or service, but don’t think that she will instinctively know what you want. Maybe you stated in the interview that you’re looking for someone willing to clean windows. Now is the time to explain how and how often you would like that done.
It’s not a bad idea to have a notebook with written directions your housekeeper can refer to for all the specific jobs you expect. That will leave little room for a gap in communication. It will also provide concrete evidence for dismissal, should you be unhappy with service.
Evaluate How Well Your Standard is Being Met
After your housekeeper has been with you for a few weeks, check to see how satisfied you are with her work. Is she meeting the expectation you laid out? If not, it may be time to re-explain what you were looking for. And if she’s meeting your needs, there’s no reason not to say what a wonderful job she’s doing!
As you can see, communication is the key. Know what you want, explain what you want, and evaluate how well you have instructed your housekeeper. Follow those tips, and everyone’s expectations should be met.
