Interviewing a cleaner: questions, attitude & the trial day
Short answer: 15 minutes on the phone is usually plenty - a meeting isn't required. And once she actually cleans on the trial day, it counts as a paid workday.
Your questions, answered in 10 seconds
Does it have to be an in-person meeting?
No, a short call is completely fine.
How long should the call be?
15-20 minutes is usually enough.
Is the trial day paid?
Yes, the moment she actually works.
What's the difference to the probation period?
Trial day = one day before hiring. Probation = 1-3 months after.
What both sides should prepare
Check it off, print it - for the call and for the trial day.
Who should ask what?
Your questions for her
- •What experience do you have with private households?
- •Do you have references from previous employers?
- •What's your availability - which days, how many hours?
- •How would you tackle a heavily crusted oven?
- •Are you familiar with common cleaning products and equipment?
- •How will you get to us - which mode of transport?
Her questions for you
- •What exactly are the expected tasks?
- •How flexible are the working hours?
- •What's the pay and how is it paid out?
- •Who provides the cleaning supplies and equipment?
- •What's the notice period?
- •Will AHV and insurance be registered from day one?
A sample call (3 minutes)
Not a script to memorize - just a feel for how relaxed a call like this can be.
Discuss pay, hours and tasks clearly
Set a realistic wage
Use the minimum wage and the fair market rate as your anchor - fairly paid staff stay longer.
Use the legal minimum wage and the fair market rate as your guide - or calculate directly with the hourly wage calculator.
Define tasks precisely
Agree on what's done regularly and what's occasional (e.g. windows, ironing).
A complete task-split template is in our household-help tasks guide.
Clarify the notice period early
That way both sides know where they stand from day one.
Check the right period with the notice-period calculator and put it all in the employment contract.
Shadow day or real work?
The difference decides whether you owe pay - and who's liable if something happens.
A pure shadow day - just watching, at most a few tasks under supervision - creates no employment relationship. But if she cleans independently, following instructions, a de facto employment relationship (Art. 319ff CO) arises from the very first hour.
This applies even if you agreed beforehand it would be "unpaid": once real work is performed, you owe at least the NAV minimum wage - and you're liable for accidents. Best practice: treat the trial day like day one.
Shadow day - just watching
- •She accompanies you around the home
- •At most a few tasks under your supervision
- •No employment relationship, no wage owed
Trial work - she actually cleans
- •She works independently, following instructions
- •De facto employment relationship from hour one
- •At least the NAV wage owed, you're liable for accidents
What applies in case of a work accident is explained in accident insurance for household help. More on the probation period after hiring is in our guide to finding a cleaner.
Who provides cleaning supplies and equipment is actually regulated by Art. 327 CO - details in our cleaning-supplies guide.
What should I pay for the trial day?
A fair range depending on experience
Recommended pay
CHF 41–61
Lower bound = NAV minimum wage, upper bound = fair market rate. If you're happy, round up generously.
Frequently asked questions
Does a phone call really suffice?
Yes, a 15-20 minute call is completely standard and sufficient. An in-person meeting usually only happens at the trial day.
Do I really have to pay for the trial day?
Yes, the moment she works independently and follows instructions - even without a written agreement. What matters is the work actually performed.
What's the difference between a trial day and a probation period?
The trial day is a single day before hiring, to get to know each other. The probation period (1-3 months) follows, with a shortened 7-day notice period.
How long should the trial day be?
1 to 3 hours is plenty to get a sense of thoroughness and working style.
What if something breaks or she gets injured during the trial?
Legally, the trial day counts as a working day - you carry accident insurance and liability, just like on any other working day.
Should I already discuss pay on the phone?
Yes, absolutely - a rough agreement on pay avoids unpleasant surprises at the trial day or when drafting the first contract.
Related reading
After the trial day: contract and registration in minutes
If it's a fit, Clino automatically generates the employment contract, payslip and AHV registration - for CHF 19.90 a month.
Start for freeNote: This article does not replace legal advice. Wages are rough estimates as of July 2026.
