Death and reasonable time to pay people off

I am facing the prospect of a close relative dying, She has a gardener and a cleaning lady
Now the carers are on an on going monthly contract so that is not a problem

The gardener and cleaning lady have been with us/her for over twenty years
the time is approaching when they are no longer needed,
I want to be fair AFTER the event to both persons

Anyone know / suggest what would be a fair termination of employment

The two have been loyal, cash in hand employee's and done more than was requested
ie:- The gardener, does odd household repairs etc, The cleaner, runs to the Post Office and collects Aunts pension etc, gets food and shopping in above and beyond her employment requirement

I can not state to them today that they have three months redundancy, I can only decide after the event it could be tomorrow, it could be next month, we do not know

So once the event has taken place, what would you suggest I do for them

Regards Jack McH

 

Jack, you are such a caring, honourable man. What can I say.

I am absolutely not qualified to answer your question. But given that it is abundantly clear you are a caring man of respect, the only suggestion I have is that you are absolutely honest with the staff about the situation. It sounds like they are loyal. But of course they have their own commitments. I can't offer advice but I can tell you what happened when my lovely boss feared the prospect of laying us off under different circumstances. She told us that times were difficult, and the company might have to fold. She told us there was enough in the bank to pay notice periods, and she told us there'd be no ill feeling if any of us jumped ship. This was about a year ago, and most of us are still there.

I think in a situation like you describe, honesty is the only way forward.

 

Hi Jack,

I think you're just causing yourself extra worry at what is a difficult time.
There are a lot of details missing here, has she any children or grandchildren, what about your parents or has she any other brothers/sisters ? Is there a will or signed statement? Does she own the property ?

These people , like Shiney says are not employees they're people who give up their time to earn a backhander every week.
They don't have to be paid off, they'll know that once your aunt passes that the house will be sold or whatever. As Shiney said, ask them if there's anything they'd like from the garden or house. However, speaking as someone who has dealt with probate etc, only do anything if you're the person handling the estate.

Perhaps also you could tell them that you'll pass their details on to the people who buy the house ( however, be carefull how you do this, you don't want to sell to someone who works for the local tax office and then mention you've had two cash in handers for so many years. )

 

So sorry to read about your Aunt Jack; definitely not an easy time for you or the family

Anything you do *after* the event will be governed by any will and the executors.
Any particular reason you do not wish to do anything for them *before* the event?
Is it possible to discuss this with your Aunt so she can have a say in what she believes is fair?

I'm going to make an assumption here and that is, as loyal people who have been serving your Aunt for the past twenty or so years, I'm guessing they have a fair idea what is going on with regard to your Aunt's health. Even if they have not been told, the signs will be there: carers in and out; the demeanour and general health of your Aunt. So, if "fairness" is the issue, then it is possibly the fairest of all to explain to them now what is happening in the same way you have told us e.g. it could be a month, it could be tomorrow. Then ask them if they wish to terminate their contract now, or wait until the event, or soon after? In my book, being open and honest with them will go a long way. They've been with your Aunt a long time and would have built up a rapport with her and, no doubt, developed a fondness for her. Bear in mind they may even wish to attend the funeral service.

Good luck with whatever you decide, Jack. I'm sure you will do the right thing for all concerned

 

Sorry to hear of your predicament Jack and hope that you have your Aunt for some time yet

If these people have been with your Aunt for many years then they have probably been looked on like part of the family so for whoever is sorting out her affairs could let them know exactly what the situation is and if they still want to clean the house and tidy the garden it will be a good deed and less stressful for relatives to have to take on a weedy garden and a dusty house once your Aunt has passed away.

If you feel like giving them gifts as a Thankyou for many years hard work then you could possibly give the gardener and garden gift voucher/card to use to buy themselves something to remember your Aunt by and the cleaner you could buy either the same if they are keen gardeners or a gift voucher/card for somewhere like the National Trust or M&S so that she too can buy something for themselves to remember your Aunt by. A nice Thankyou card each would also go down well and often a few kind words can make all the difference and show them that they have been appreciated for all their hard work over the years

 

In Italy when you leave a job you get a sum of money as a "gift" from the employer for each year you were in that job.

Depending how much you care about the two employees, and considering their perspective employment at their age etc etc, I would work out a sum of money, HOWEVER SMALL, for each year they have been employed by you (clearly explained), and a nice gift.

If leaving your job would leave them totally stranded, I would let them go gently in good time and plenty of notice, and have some temporary staff to cover their duties. It will also make it easier to cope with their feelings toward your relative, when he/she will pass away.

 

Thank you all for your replies
She is an old Maiden Aunt, with no family, just a niece (my wife) who has power of attorney
though there are legal executors for a will
At the moment she is in hospital in a bad way, not able to think straight or make decisions
Keeps saying the bad men have locked her in a Dungeon and wants to escape etc

I will take onboard all advice you have given, and if there is no provision in the will, then I will give them something myself

Regards Jack McH

 

Jack, over the years I have had 3 elderly clients pass away and each time the family asked me to carry on looking after the garden until a buyer could be found. Once a purchase was agreed I was, quite rightly, "let go".

 

My Aunt passed away last year, she had a gardener after my uncle passed, the executor of the will is keeping the gardener on until the house is sold, makes it easier to sell a house if it looks cared for. The gardener understands that when the house is sold, his work will cease, unless the new owner requires his services.