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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Aeroflotgirl · 15/12/2014 07:24

Totally disagree mamma, op has dressed, she has her pyjamas on, and is not walking around in the nude! There are all types of reasons why op might not be dressed, she might do shift work and sleep in the day, not feeling well, not have to go into work that day. What about Gym workers seeing people in states of undress in their workplace! That doesent wash with me sorry how ludricous.

Zippidydoodah · 15/12/2014 07:28

"So there"? Hmm

Pair of pjs or suit of pjs, whatever. It still isn't "a pj".

londonrach · 15/12/2014 07:31

Yabvvvu. Their house, how they choose to dress is their business. Just be grateful they dressed. Ive turned up to treat patients to find them undressed, wearing nothing. All dealt with tactfully if the situation occurs, believe me. Really dont care if i treat people in pjs or wearing a frozen outfit just they need to wear something.

Squirrelsmum · 15/12/2014 07:36

YABU, my cleaner can sometimes get through half the house before I get out of bed, she lets herself in and does what she is paid to do, there could be any number of reasons they are still in their pjs.

VikingLady · 15/12/2014 07:38

Perhaps whether the householder feels the need to be dressed or not reflects how they see a cleaner. Back when people had live-in domestic staff, or just more household staff in general, they'd be expected to get in with doing their work without impacting on the daily life of the employer.

HeraldAngelSinging · 15/12/2014 07:48

Zippididoodah Well, my mother used to call pyjamas a pyjama suit until about 40 years ago. It must be a comparatively modern (depending on what you call modern) outfit because any Victorian story will talk about nightshirts even for men eg Scrooge. That's where the word 'nightie' comes from. I suppose it is a pyjama suit if you have a matching top and trousers just as women have trouser suits .....

HeraldAngelSinging · 15/12/2014 07:50

Sorry but I should have added my two pennorth. I would be up, washed and dressed if the dustman came but, as other posters have said, my first thought when reading your OP was what if they had been up late the night before? Presumable 9.30am it was weekend?

bigbluestars · 15/12/2014 07:55

I hate PJs through the day. They need washed after a night's sleep, it seems dirty and slovenly to me. I am up, showered and dressed by 8am at the very latest- even at weekends. I certainly wouldn't have anyone in my home or take the bins out in my pJs.

GoodKingQuintless · 15/12/2014 07:55

Oh, I just love it when the grammar police comes out to derail and nitpick.....

So what, I said "a pj". Do you always phrase things 100% correctly zippy?

It is interesting really, in my language it is A Pyjamas. The whole two piece garment is covered. Just as you sayA suit - I never say my husband is in his suits today, when he is wearing a suit. It is not plural, it is singular.

Why is it different with PJ?

DustInTheWind · 15/12/2014 08:01

Op, just tell them you think it's disrespectful and lazy, and that your DSis agrees with you, and that you'd like them dressed and ready for your arrival.
Then see if that has the desired effect.
Or if they decide to find another cleaner.

rollonthesummer · 15/12/2014 08:05

I thought you were going to be a freelance accountant or something when I read the thread title. I don't think you can really describe the houses you go to as an appointment with a client-it's more turning up for work at your employer's house. They pay you to clean their house-not to criticise their attire. You could still let yourself in and clean without them ever being there, so it's pretty irrelevant what they wear.

Original poster
missjenniferhoney · 15/12/2014 08:05

Just to clear a few things up. I don't know if IABU which is why I posted. My previous post My DSis thinks it is disrespectful too, was in agreement with Mintyy and Cricket.
Neither of these people are disabled/ have newborn babies/ work nights. I always knock and wait to be let in because that is the arrangement they have chosen, many others want me to let myself in.
Oh and I don't work on weekend, this happened during the week.

OP posts:
DustInTheWind · 15/12/2014 08:07

So tell them, OP.
They don't meet your standards.

BugritAndTidyup · 15/12/2014 08:19

Neither of these people are disabled/

How do you know? You realise not all disabilities are visible, right?

ohdearitshappeningtome · 15/12/2014 08:21

Resign.

Aeroflotgirl · 15/12/2014 08:21

It does not matter op, you are there to clean theur home, not put on a fashion parade.

diddl · 15/12/2014 08:22

"I never say my husband is in his suits today, when he is wearing a suit. It is not plural, it is singular.

Why is it different with PJ?"

Pyjamas, singular happens to have an "s".

Like pants, trousers.

I guess because usually referred to as "a pair of"?

oranges · 15/12/2014 08:23

Im neither disabled, work nights nor have a new born, but I do have a system of working when on a big project at home, to get up very early, sit down with a coffee and start work straight away in pjs as my mind is really clear at that moment, then only get dressed hours later when Ive broken the back of the work. I am way, way more efficient that way. is that acceptable to you op??

slithytove · 15/12/2014 08:29

They could easily be disabled or pregnant. Or tired!

Should put this in your vetting interviews before taking them on as clients. Will you allow them to wear pjs if you deem the reasons valid?

Is it just traditional pjs which are the issue or anything they've slept in, like a loose top and joggers?

slithytove · 15/12/2014 08:30

Incidentally I sleep naked, so no matter what I was wearing to answer the door, it wouldn't be nightwear.

YesIDidMeanToBeSoRudeActually · 15/12/2014 08:31

They may well have a disability but haven't told you, you are their cleaner, paid by them to carry out a job. What they wear is of no concern to you and you don't have any grounds to judge them on what they wear in their own home.

Some days I don't get dressed until DH is around to to help me. Last week dressing got forgotten before he went to work so I had to do the afternoon school run in no bra and a pyjama top hidden under a big coat. I could change my bottom half but felt ashamed and mortified in case anyone noticed and judged me. This was in public though, I never feel ashamed wearing PJs in my own house whatever the time.

I know it's a bit of a MN cliche, but don't you really have anything better to worry about? Why are you even giving it headspace?

jinglealltheway2014 · 15/12/2014 08:31

yanbu I think it's rude of them. If they're ill, just had a baby etc then fair enough but otherwise it's rude

SauvignonBlanche · 15/12/2014 08:37

YABU. You're a domestic cleaner in the person's own home.
I'm still in my PJs when my cleaner arrives at about 9am. She lets herself in and gets on doing downstairs while I get ready. I'd be pissed off if I had to come downstairs and let her in.

Why on earth would I have to get up earlier to be dressed before she arrives? I use her services to make life easier, not more complicated.

clam · 15/12/2014 08:44

This is one of the reasons I don't have a cleaner.

Bowlersarm · 15/12/2014 08:57

Yabvu.

It's their home. It's got nothing to do with you what they chose to wear when they are in it, as long as they are wearing something if there are other people there.

Very unreasonable of you op.

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