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AIBU?

to have sacked my window cleaner?

64 replies

Ellybellyboo · 08/04/2017 08:05

Just before Christmas we started with a window cleaner.

He's pretty good, does a good job but he just won't shut our back gate when he's been - I don't expect him to lock it or anything (it's a high gate, he can't reach the bolt it from the outside) but I've asked him several times to make sure he closes it properly as we have a dog - it has a latch which he just has to make sure clicks into place.

On the days I know he's been, I just make sure I go out in the garden and shut the gate before I let the dog out. The gate is round to the side so you can't see it from the house.

He comes regularly, once a month and we book the dates in advance and he is supposed to let me know if he's had to change the days.

He's not due until the end of next week.

Anyway, on Thursday I get in from work and let the dog out for a wee. He ponces about in the garden for a bit while I go for a wee when I notice a pile of our garden chairs in the middle of the garden (they live under the kitchen window and the window cleaner drags them out and doesn't put them back) and realise the window cleaner has been. Rush out and find the gate wide open and the dog has gone.

Huge panic for few hours, before our dog warden very kindly brings dog home - was found a couple of streets over but the person who found him rang the dog warden rather than the details on the dog's collar so it took a while to get him back. Get a huge bollocking from the dog warden

I'm really cross with the window cleaner. I asked him several times to close the bloody gate because we have a dog, so yesterday I called him and told him that I didn't want him to come back, if he gave me his address or bank details I'd send over a cheque or do a bank transfer for any money I owed him (I wasn't expecting him on Thursday so hadn't left his money out) but that was it.

He seemed OK at first, gave me his bank details and I transferred his money straight away, but last night I got a load of emails - telling me I had to give him 1 month notice so I had to transfer another months money, I was a bitch, an idiot who treated people like shit, he gave me a good deal so I was taking the piss out of him and that I was a stupid reason for getting rid of someone and I was lucky he didn't take me to court.

WIBU? I asked him time and time again to shut the gate and I feel sick to think what could have happened but alls well that ends well I suppose

OP posts:

Report

Hassled · 08/04/2017 08:08

If there was no verbal or written agreement to give him one month's notice (was that ever mentioned before?) then he's talking out of his arse. I'd just ignore - don't reply, don't engage.

SweetBabyJebus · 08/04/2017 08:08

Are you fuck!
What a knobhead. Notice my arse. Did you sign a contract? Didn't think so...
He's chancing his arm, ignore.

Gileswithachainsaw · 08/04/2017 08:08

Yanbu

It's a big deal your dog could be in or cause an accident and the I'd say he was doing it on purpose given it's a natural reaction to close doors and gstes when you leave even if people are there.

He's taking the piss

Joolsy · 08/04/2017 08:10

YANBU. Not only because of leaving your gate open but from how he reacted after. Would you ever want to deal with someone who calls you things like that? Ignore all correspondence from him in future

MajesticWhine · 08/04/2017 08:10

What is this dog warden thing? That's awesome. Are you in the U.K.?
No YANBU at all. It doesn't sound difficult to close the gate and your window cleaner is being an ars.

deckoff · 08/04/2017 08:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChasedByBees · 08/04/2017 08:15

I'm guessing there was no contract? He is being abusive and I would make sure I leave a review on local sites with a copy of his latest messages.

BigMamaFratelli · 08/04/2017 08:17

YADNBU

I'd ignore him, but if you get any more emails I think you should report him to the police for harassment.

And make sure you keep the ones he's already sent you.

SheSaidHeSaid · 08/04/2017 08:17

Don't even reply, you don't owe him any money.

He can't complain about an arrangement or supposed agreement to give a months notice when in reality any agreement was also for him to let you know in advance of him attending and to shut the gate.

Wando1986 · 08/04/2017 08:18

Erm he's a window cleaner, you can tell him to piss off at a moments notice... unless he wants you to notify hmrc about likely undeclared cash in hand work

Chloe84 · 08/04/2017 08:18

Don't pay the fucker another penny.

Did he call you a bitch and idiot in the email? That's harassment.

mummc2 · 08/04/2017 08:18

I got rid of our window cleaner a couple of months ago as he kept leaving our gate open although no dog it's a big heavy gate and it started to lean due to it banging in wind and also never used to clean my frames which he is supposed to do so I just stuck a note in window to say no longer required his services - I didn't hear anything but surely it's a verbal agreement so can't do anything

MrsCrabbyTree · 08/04/2017 08:20

If the window cleaner can access your garden without you being aware of him doing so, I would be wary that he doesn't leave the gate open again in retaliation. Is it possible to padlock the gate?

FerdinandsRevenge · 08/04/2017 08:21

Of course you don't owe him money, I might write back saying I'm considering suing for emotional distress after seeing my dog once again let out and that if he writes you again you will screen shot his emails and leave them all over FB

Ellybellyboo · 08/04/2017 08:25

Thanks,

No, no contract.

Technically, he's had more than a month notice anyway. He wasn't due until the 13th of April, so the next one would be around the 13th May.

I felt the gate thing had become deliberate. He only had to lift the latch as he closed the gate and make sure it clicked I to place. I assume he's used his ladders or something to climb over and unbolt it - will definitely get a padlock for it.

Dog warden was deeply unimpressed

OP posts:

llhj · 08/04/2017 08:27

What's a dog warden?

Megatherium · 08/04/2017 08:29

You did have a contract, but it was a verbal one. However, if you had agreed to give him a month's notice you would obviously know about it. And in any event he's clearly broken the terms of the contract so, even if you had agreed to a notice period, it no longer applies.

ElsieMc · 08/04/2017 08:31

Well, it sounds like you did the right thing and got rid of him. Who wants someone like that snooping round their property. Email him and tell him if you hear from him again, you will go to the police about his harassment and show them the email calling you a bitch. I would warn your other neighbours.

FWIW, our coalman actually used to leave my door to my house wide open! Got rid of him as well.

pirsonal · 08/04/2017 08:34

I think you are well rid of him considering how he's acting now. Not a nice person to have round your house.

ExcuseMyEyebrows · 08/04/2017 08:36

Perhaps OP is in Scotland where there are dog wardens.

DontOpenDeadInside · 08/04/2017 08:37

Did you have to pay the dog warden? Bill him for that if so.

BonfiresOfInsanity · 08/04/2017 08:38

I'd be showing everyone down the road that email just to let them know who they're dealing with. We have the loveliest window cleaner in the world. I'm very grateful!

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Chillidawg · 08/04/2017 08:39

I'd definitely get that padlock on today, so that it's impossible to climb over the gate and unbolt it. If this is his attitude, is he likely to sneak over and unlock it when passing just out of spite.

Gabilan · 08/04/2017 08:41

last night I got a load of emails

After pub chucking out time?

I'd be upset if my dog were at risk. And not putting furniture back is also lazy.

Ellybellyboo · 08/04/2017 08:41

He was really nice to begin with and apart from the gate business he did a brilliant job.

I will warn my neighbour I think, she's uses him too and is an elderly lady on her own and I'd hate to think he speaks to her the same.

I'm not in Scotland, South Coast of England. Dog warden patrols and fines for poo not being picked up, talks to people about responsible dog ownership, deals with lost dogs, signposts people to help with vets fees, etc.

Dog has our details on a tag on his collar so I'm not sure why the person who found him didn't just call us, he was only a couple of streets over so we'd have been much quicker than calling out the dog warden

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