AIBU re cleaning the office at my work place??

[SuperFlyHigh]

At work we recently got rid of our cleaners, they weren't cleaning well (mess left, didn't come in several times, no excuses) and despite warning them through the company who employed them several times it didn't get any better. We were then told by the cleaning company that the cleaners weren't happy with us criticising them but then the cleaners came to us separately after this to try to get us to employ them not through the company, so i don't know what happened there.

My boss then interviewed a couple of cleaners and through a colleague found someone who now comes in twice a month (eg every fortnight). We did have cleaners before every other day, at least 3 x a week for about 5 years.

In the interim period when we had no cleaners I emptied bins, food bin etc and cleaned generally (not hoovering) as we were asked to help out then. I had thought we would have a cleaner at least once a week but turns out no.

I am now not happy as I know (out of staff of 5 people) it'll be me who ends up wiping kitchen surfaces, emptying bins etc and it's not on. Already the reception area where I sit, kitchen, and toilets are starting to get dirty and I don't see why I should wipe toilet seats etc... I did begrudgingly get some toilet cleaner (none in cleaner's cupboard) and toilet wipes and kitchen wipes but I don't want to use them!

When I mentioned I wasn't happy and what was happening with the cleaners the other day my boss said "you'll have to clean, empty bins etc...". I am beyond mad at this...

Sorry if this sounds like a rant but I'm really pissed off and I am not a cleaner, I'm a legal secretary/PA! I know my boss wants to save on cleaners but he was paying £120 per month anyway before with the other cleaners for 5 years!

Just read your update superfly.

Let me make myself clear. I am not trying to have a pop at you and was only pointing out the law, which I did not write, but have to follow.

I may sound like a clipboard wielding hard hat wearing H&S official, but it is an important issue. Things go wrong in cleaning and that is why risk assessments and training are so important.

raltheraffe

sorry I didn't mean to get sarcastic with you but it was quite clear cut re who cancelled the contract.

AFAIK no my boss didn't go with a company that did risk assessments. He doesn't do this for his staff let alone cleaners!

I've actually slipped, fallen on the floor tiles (which are precarious when wet) and banged my head on the wooden door frame and when I mentioned it to my boss he laughed (yeah funny, not).

The woman was employed not her OH. My boss considered this eventually was unacceptable together with the low standard of cleaning.

Trust me - if I were employing someone I'd rather follow procedure. My boss seems to think rules don't apply to him.

see the part about me slipping, I also said to another employee if I'd been concussed or badly hurt I'd claim against my boss (highly unlikely I'd do that) after that we got a new employee who has sort of tried to bring in H&S etc when we had work experience staff this summer we HAD to have risk assessments etc for them.

I'm just fed up....

It is disappointing that your boss is reluctant to follow the law, especially with him working as a solicitor.

When you slipped on a wet floor (I am assuming there was no yellow safety sign on display) you could have easily sued him if you had been badly injured.

It sounds to me like he had a cheap set up with a dodgy firm. Unfortunately companies like this do exist and it frustrates me as someone who follows all the laws and pays every penny of taxes, NI and VAT that I should. Some firms out there charge crazy rates and then put some illegal immigrant in there on peanuts. Unfortunately there are customers out there who will take the cheap option.

The OH coming to clean the site, when he is not a company employee is a very serious issue. If one of my cleaners pulled a stunt like this they would get sacked. It is especially a concern bearing in mind solicitors offices are packed full of confidential and sensitive data about their clients.

My advice to you would be refuse to do the cleaning, end of. Even something as simple as changing a bin requires training in safe lifting. Sanitary waste should be disposed of correctly and the appropriate bins should be used.

If you start doing this cleaning it will become your job. An unofficial arrangement. Do not do it.