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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be annoyed when my clients are still in pjs when I turn up for work?

336 replies

missjenniferhoney · 14/12/2014 22:36

I'm a self employed domestic cleaner, have been for a number of years. I've recently taken on a few new clients (since Oct/Nov) and have been surprised to turn up to work at their homes to find them still in nightwear. It happened at 2 appointments last week, both at 9.30 in the morning. I turn up at the same time on the same day each week, so I'm not unexpected, and I always knock on the front door for them to let me in before using my own key as I think it is just polite. I honestly didn't know how to react, so just ignored it and got on with the cleaning after a quick 'Good morning, how are you?'

AIBU to wish they would get dressed before I arrive?

OP posts:

DustInTheWind · 14/12/2014 23:11

My SIL has a cleaner, and she always spends ages cleaning and tidying up before the cleaner comes because she's worried about what she might think of her.
My mum has a cleaner, but without the angst and worry. She always has tea and biscuits available and the cleaner does a brilliant, efficient job. I'm not sure if mum is always dressed and ready for inspection, because it's not the sort of thing she'd worry about or mention.

Laquitar · 14/12/2014 23:12

Well if you work in houses you should be comfortable about things like this.
I used to be a Nanny and when i arrived the parents were in pj or in bath robes after the morning showers. Thats why they hired me and they paid for me to go early so they can shower and get dressed.
If they had a day off they were in pjs. I never thought about this. Only on mn everything is disrespectful.
And it has nothing to do with being cleaner or domestic help and not their accountant. Different jobs, different situations.

MrsKoala · 14/12/2014 23:12

When i had ds1 we got a cleaner in once a week. i think i was probably always in my pjs when she arrived. i only dressed to leave the house (and then it was pj type clothes/loose bottoms and stretchy tops). i used to shuffle from room to room to get out of her way. I dressed like this regardless of who was coming round - hv, mw, friend, mortgage broker (not really - i don't have one, but i would if i did) etc. Pjs were always clean, inoffensive (or i think so) plain coloured/checked wide legged bottoms and a long sleeve t-shirt type top. I don't see how this is much different from my outdoor clothes of the time, which were, um, clean, inoffensive (or i think so) plain coloured wide legged yoga bottoms and a long sleeve t-shirt type top.

Oriunda · 14/12/2014 23:13

I'd be really annoyed if you were my cleaner and, having given you a key so you could let yourself in, you insisted on knocking on my door so I had to let you in.

My cleaner comes early afternoon. As my son is an early riser and also often wakes in the night, I try/need to sleep when he has his nap. My cleaner knows this, lets herself in quietly and gets on with downstairs. When I wake up, I go down to say hello and then she'll move upstairs when my son wakes up.

Very glad you are not my cleaner!

SantasBassoon · 14/12/2014 23:15

YABU. Strictly speaking, they're your employer, not your client; they don't have to forge any sort of professional relationship with you.

They're pleasing themselves at home. They could have been under the weather, they may have just been having a lazy day. That's their prerogative.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 14/12/2014 23:20

My cleaner comes at 8am. Every other morning I'm dressed and out of the house by 7.30 to go to work. I'm damned if I'm getting up at the crack of dawn on my day off to make sure I'm ready before my cleaner arrives. She starts downstairs while I get children ready and out then does upstairs when we are gone.

Riverland · 14/12/2014 23:27

YABVVU.

You are there to help them, and you get paid to do so. Big judgey pants about their attire is helpful or relevant, how?!

I'm v glad you aren't my cleaner. How unnecessary to be so judgey.

Try being kinder and more allowing, it'll make you feel better.

Laquitar · 14/12/2014 23:28

I am surprised that you have been doing this job for years and this is the most shocking thing you have seen.
Usually cleaners, nannies, housekeepers have more ......interesting stories to tell.

Summerisle1 · 14/12/2014 23:31

I work from home. Some of most inspired work has been done in pyjamas. I also used to have a cleaner. She seemed entirely unbothered about me appearing in an outfit that's actually more covering than quite a lot of the clothes some people wear when they claim to be dressed.

YABU.

Mintyy · 14/12/2014 23:33

Lol at the irony Riverland. Have a look at all of the op's posts again. Where has she been judgey or unkind? Not at all. You might disagree with her - fair enough - but she is not being vvvu at all.

Redglitter · 14/12/2014 23:34

My pj's consist of what look like light joggies and an old t shirt. I work shifts so very often if she's coming in she let's herself in and does what she does and goes. It wouldn't dream of getting dressed specially for her coming in. tbh if she was insulted by it I'd be looking for a new cleaner

BertieBotts · 14/12/2014 23:35

Shit, are you supposed to get dressed before the cleaner comes?

(We don't have a cleaner, but this would never have occurred to me)

frostydom2011 · 14/12/2014 23:37

Well I think you can think what you want and I'm really glad you mentioned it as I'll need a lot of professional help at home over the coming weeks. I'll be sure to mention some days it's not going to be possible for me to be out of pyjamas.

QuickSilverFairy · 14/12/2014 23:41

My husband and I are often in bed when our lovely cleaner arrives

She goes about her business as we do. I pay her to clean my home, could not care less what she thinks about our attire.

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 14/12/2014 23:41

I am a cleaner and tbh as long as my wages are paid I don't care what people wear.

At home I'm in my pj, If my nearest and dearest are ok with it as they do tend to pop over in pj then why would I care if someone else do come over.

Amethyst24 · 14/12/2014 23:43

Are you my cleaner?

I regularly let her in wearing a t-shirt and knickers, then offer her coffee and go back to bed while she cleans downstairs.

I'm not disabled, but I work from home and bed is the most convenient place for me to be, for both of us, while she works plus the cat is terrified of her and happiest under the duvet with me.

Beangarda · 14/12/2014 23:44

I have a cleaner who comes at 9 am once a week. I work from home two days a week, and on those could be wearing pyjamas, sweaty running gear, or a nightdress tucked into jeans under a coat for walking my son to his childminder. I would be very surprised if my cleaner noticed what I had on.

Your attitude is a bit weird, tbh. You do realise your 'appointment' is with the house, not its inhabitants, and that any inhabitants who are at home when you come to clean aren't required to demonstrate respect and lack of laziness to you (obviously, as long as they are polite and pay you properly), right?

Boysandme · 14/12/2014 23:49

I always get dressed before the cleaner comes apart from a post op period but I still made sure I was wearing decent PJs then!

I am an accountant and once went to a client's house for a pre-arranged meeting mid morning. I knocked on the door and he answered it looking slightly surprised in his PJs! He had forgotten I was coming. He said execuse me a minute and went upstairs, I assumed to get dressed. But no, he came down in the same PJs but with a dressing gown on top!! I was rather surprised and it was quite an odd meeting!! Not inappropriate but felt very weird talking complex tax matters with a man in his PJs. He is european so probably less prudish about such things, but has at least been dressed every time since!

TiggerLillies · 14/12/2014 23:49

I've worked in home environments although not as a cleaner. I see my job to assist my employer in getting on with their life as easily as possible. They can wear whatever they like in the safe knowledge I don't really care, and I'll keep our of their way. Although if they wanted a meeting with me, some clothes wood probably be good!

m0therofdragons · 14/12/2014 23:50

Maybe they work night shifts. You are in their home and I presume they pay you so as long as the night wear isn't offensive you really need to be more professional.

TopazRocks · 14/12/2014 23:53

Thing is, maybe those clients are actually very polite and well-brought up - so when asked how they are, they know it would be rude to actually go into detail. And maybe they have some horrid chronic illness you don't know about. Did you do a health check before you were willing to be employed by them, OP?

BlessedAndGr8fulNoInLaws4Xmas · 14/12/2014 23:53

You are so unreasonable!

My home - my PJ's - if my cleaner doesn't like it I can find somebody else!

Fwiw I have a lovely cleaner who understands that we work shifts in our house so not only are we often in our pj's we are also at times in bed!!

TheBooMonster · 15/12/2014 00:00

It could just be a sign that they're comfortable with having you in their home? I live in pj's during the week but I dress if we're having work men because I feel awkward about the idea of strange men seeing me wander round in the same kind of clothing I go to bed in. my friends are quite used to me being in pj's and if I had a regular cleaner I'd have no issue with them seeing me in my pj's

ouryve · 15/12/2014 00:00

They're probably waiting for someone to clean the shower before they use it.

Purplepumpkins · 15/12/2014 00:05

when you work in a private home unfortunately it's part of the job.

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