To think you can do without your housekeeper?

[tiggertogger]

I live on the best street in a nice village. Full of big houses where most people have housekeepers and other staff (drivers, chefs, dog walkers, gardeners, nannies) Since the lock down, the workers have all continued to arrive as normal. The only notable absence are the flower deliveries. I messaged my neighbour to ask why her housekeeper was continuing to work despite the lockdown and she said her house was too big to do herself and the housekeeper needed the money. I just don't understand. We told all household staff to go on leave for 3 weeks, paid. A normal action to take and yet all my neighbours are carrying on as normal. Some are old, some have young families, all as far as I can see are selfish fuckers. It's making me hate them all. AIBU to think they could cope without them for 3 bloody weeks and continue to pay them as it's a drop in the ocean? Or are there household staff rules I'm not aware of?

[Happygirl79]

Is this a tongue in cheek joke?

[PinkiOcelot]

Stealth boast about letting your household staff have 3 weeks off, paid???!!

[tiggertogger]

@PinkiOcelot it's not a stealth boast to explicitly state I am well off. I'm very fortunate and recognise it and act responsibly, accordingly. The context is important as these people above anyone can afford to pay their employees and not require service for a short time.

[Dandarabilla]

Rich folks don’t clean their own house or look after their own kids. Not even for a day. What planet are you from?

[tiggertogger]

A planet where I am currently both looking after 2 children, working from home, doing my own cooking and cleaning just like everyone else, despite being rich 🤷🏻‍♀️

[purpleboy]

Gosh you don't even have staff quarters? What kind of hellhole do you live in?

[RedHelenB]

Of course yanbu but some people think mibey entitles them to everything.

[PineappleDanish]

I messaged my neighbour to ask why her housekeeper was continuing to work despite the lockdown

How incredibly rude.

We have a cleaner - she isn't coming this week. Or next probably. But it was a really hard decision we made between us. She is self-employed. She doesn't work, she doesn't get paid. We are facing a slump in our income too so the "just keep paying her" isn't going to work either. But I completely understand why some self-employed people want to keep going, even against the advice.

However, I certainly wouldn't be texting neighbours or friends about their own arrangements - totally overstepping the mark.

[aupresdemonarbre]

Mind your own business. Government has made clear that those who cannot work from home can continue to do so.

[Leaannb]

My cleaning service still comes 3 times a week. I need her more than ever right now. She got a raise for it

[FlamingoAndJohn]

My dad works as a driver and is still doing it even though he is over 70. I’ve told him he should stop.

[tiggertogger]

I guess this is why the virus is spreading so far. Everyone has a reason the advice doesn't apply to them. We're bringing this on ourselves 🤦🏻‍♀️

[LuluBellaBlue]

It’s great that you recognise this and called your neighbours out.
Not sure what else you can do as the UK measures are very ambiguous regarding what’s essential re work.
I’m not hugely well off, but do have a weekly cleaner.
I’ve not lost any wages yet, so am paying her despite not having anything done either.
It’s the right thing to do

[WinterCat]

I’m surprised you can see into the driveways and houses to be able to tell which staff are coming and going.

[PinkiOcelot]

@tiggertogger 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[Nothing2doooooo]

House keeper wants (more likely 'needs') to keep working. It's her job. Employer wants/needs the services. It's their business, as long as they keep away from others everywhere else...and keep a distance between them in the house (which shouldn't be a problem).

Some people do need domestic help for different reasons and if they are more than happy to work, why not? If you can do without yours, hurray for you.

[tiggertogger]

@WinterCat it's a private road and our security cameras log the number plates of all cars going up and down and produces a report every 12 hours of changes from an established pattern. I can't physically see the cars but I rely on the software to do it for me.

[aupresdemonarbre]

Sorry but you’re just wrong about the advice. See p4 - work going on in people’s homes. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/875304/240320_Revised_Guidance.pdf The advice is that these workers can continue as longs as observing social distancing at work. The government has urged people to keep working if possible. Your neighbour is complying with government guidance.

[aupresdemonarbre]

Good lord, just see that you are logging car ref numbers too. It’s the Amersham Stasi.

[LakieLady]

Are you mucking out the horses yourself, too, OP?

[Nothing2doooooo]

So you're basically sat monitoring the system? Not much to do is there?

[Jjcrackers]

It is quite clear in the guidelines that the only people who should be leaving the house are those who provide an essential service. Having your house cleaned NOT an essential service.
People who think they are entitled to this are the exact reason why we will never get on top of this virus.
Stop being selfish and clean your own bloody house. I have cancelled mine (with pay) and will be getting my marigolds out.

[Nothing2doooooo]

[TheWashingMachine]

If the house is so big why can't the housekeeper move in?

[WinterCat]

You could try doing something useful with your time since this is clearly annoying you and is out of your control. We have weeks of being home ahead of us but there are things you could to help others (perhaps get involved in the request to help out those who need it by doing things like calling lonely people etc) instead of monitoring reports.

We would never bother to check back on the security without a need. What’s the point?