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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Being treated unfairly by accomodation staff.

83 replies

mamapoppins23 · 16/12/2015 13:51

I wasn't sure where to put this, but I would really like some advise on my current situation. I'm very tempted to put in a letter of complaint to the organisation that runs my supported accommodation about the staff. To explain my situation further, here we go. Last year I suffered a nervous breakdown, due to family problems and poor mental health. My breakdown resulted in a house fire, and I was housed suitably in supported accommodation. Gradually with time, I started to get a lot better and more confident and have come on milestones in terms of recovery.

Staff at first needed to encourage me to just get out of bed and leave the property, but now I feel like they are being pedantic and petty. It is a shared house, however I don't feel like I'm being treated fairly by my 'carers' (said in inverted commas for sarcasm).
Fast forward to now, I still live in the property, but have moved on considerably. Although I am not working, I am in full-time education studying for a foundation degree, and volunteering on a weekly basis at a local woman's refuge. As well as this, I am very happily in a stable relationship, have gained many new friends in the last year, and 10 weeks pregnant. I still suffer sometimes with anxiety but I deal much better now.

Staff have recognised this, and I doubt very much I would be where I am now without their initial support, but they are getting ridiculous.
They know how horribly busy I am, (you know having a life) and are picking at me for the pettiest of things.
Most recent example, my support worker this morning drove me to tears
"I could of throttled you on Saturday because I had to deal with your laundry"
Saturday, she instructed me to sort out my washing (I am 23 not a child), did so, knowing that I was leaving to visit my boyfriend on the weekend. Because I left the laundry in the tumble dryer or washing machine, apparently she had to sort it out. I've lived communally before, and usually the next person just takes it out. I thought it was just common sense. Confused

Guaranteed, completely unprofessional and am very confused about how that comes under supporting me. I usually like this worker, so I was very upset about what she said to me this morning. I understand I share this accommodation, but they pick on me for the littlest of things, and can be very intrusive. I've been late for my lectures because they've asked me to wash dishes, when they know I have to leave in five minutes. Angry

I do understand how to do chores, and how to not live like a pig, but they expect unreasonable standards constantly.
I generally keep quite well on top of my room, and it's gotten to the point now where I just stay in my room in the week and avoid going home. I have no privacy.

Other clear examples were just blatantly treating me like a child. I was cooking a meal for me and friend, staff were leaving. As I was dishing out the food for me and my friend, very very partronisingly said to me a member of staff piped up:
"And you're going to wash all the dishes up like a GOOD GIRL now, aren't you H?" My friend struggled not to say something to this woman.

I can think of a hundred of other examples.

Before I got pregnant, when they found out I was in a relationship, they immediately started asking if we were using contraception. They even wrote down in their house diary of when my period was due and invited themselves to my doctors appointments. I found this really uncomfortable and inappropriate.

I know I'm fairly early in my pregnancy, and my hormones are not helping. It's stressing me out where I'm living, and despite the staff tell me I'm ready to move on, are doing next to nothing to speed up the process. The worst bit is when they comment on how hard it's going to be to have a baby. Like no shit, Sherlock. As if I wasn't aware of how hard it was going to be. It's a learning curve for anyone.

Apparently I'm eligible for a council house, but they only get serious after I'm about 20 weeks, and usually it takes longer than that. My partner and I are looking at houses privately, but they're so much more expensive, especially when we're both in work.

AIBU to write a complaint letter about the staff? And if I'm not, am unsure how to go about it.

Thanks for reading,
H

OP posts:
midnightsunshine · 16/12/2015 14:48

Sounds like it's time for you to move on and get your own place?
While you live in supported housing you have to live by their rules. When you get your own place you can leave the dishes unwashed and washing in the machine.
What's stopping you moving out?

MackerelOfFact · 16/12/2015 14:59

I'm really sorry you've had such a rough time health-wise and glad for you that things seem to be looking up.

However keeping on top of your own mess in a shared living situation isn't an 'unrealistic expectation'. If you've left wet washing in the machine, not only can nobody else use it, but if it stays there for more than a few hours the whole machine will start to smell musty and the clothes of everyone who uses it afterwards will smell for weeks. Doing your washing-up before heading out for the day isn't unfair - it means clearing surface space for others to use the kitchen, and reduces bad smells. If you only find yourself with 5 minutes to spare, then get up 10 minutes earlier and do the dishes, or do them the night before. You say that you're 'busy having a life' - but when you're an adult, chores are a part of life, unfortunately.

Having staff attend your appointments doesn't seem right to me, however. I'm pretty sure that if you let whichever healthcare professional you're seeing for the appointment know that you don't give permission for them to be there, they have a professional duty to exclude them.

whois · 16/12/2015 15:02

In shared accommodation, you can't do lots of things that you can reasonably do in your own home.

For example, this morning I left my breakfast plate and mug on the table. When I lived with other people I would always wash it up straight away. You do it out of consideration for other people, no one wants to see other peoples mess and have to work around it.

If someone had left their clothes in the washer and gone away for the weekend in the shared houses I lived in, without asking one of the other housemates to take it out, it would have been taken out and dumped (wet) back in your wash basket (if it as handy) or dumped on your bed or in a corner somewhere.

Frankly, I am extremely concerned you think you are in a good place in your life to being a baby into the world. You've had a VERY recent breakdown (and set fire to the house??) not living independently, and are in the middle of a uni course and your bf doesn't have a job. Fan-fucking-tastic situation to have a child. What on earth would have been wrong with waiting a couple of years until you life was more stable?

Viviennemary · 16/12/2015 15:03

It wasn't professional of them to use the expression 'i could have throttled you'. So that was wrong in this situation. However, it does seem the staff are very patient with you and are trying to encourage you that you must pay attention to small things such as washing up and so on. That's their job. I think if you feel you do not want this level of support and encouragement you should move on to more appropriate accommodation.

They are probably quite concerned about how you are going to cope with a baby. Apart from that one inappropriate statement (which wasn't really that bad in the grand scheme of things) you are being very well cared for indeed.

BooyakaTurkeyisMassive · 16/12/2015 15:04

This is weirdly similar to an earlier thread...

goodnightdarthvader1 · 16/12/2015 15:05

I don't think the pregnancy was deliberate, but even if it was, neither situation shows the OP to be extremely responsible. I deliberately didn't mention the house fire, but yeah, that concerns me too.

BooyakaTurkeyisMassive · 16/12/2015 15:25

Just saw the other thread has been removed as it wasn't genuine. Reported this one too, too many similarities, complaint, house fire, pregnancy. I think somebody's trying to make a point about different reactions to those who work and those who don't.

sparechange · 16/12/2015 15:28

Booy,
The thread complaining about getting a council house wasn't genuine?

Dear trolls, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?
Go and watch some Christmas films or go and grumble about Carol singers if you are that bored

goodnightdarthvader1 · 16/12/2015 15:31

I've been told off for being skeptical, but I doubt OP will be back. Don't think the 2 threads are related though.

BooyakaTurkeyisMassive · 16/12/2015 15:33

Really? You think two pregnant women made homeless in a housefire complaining about inappropriate housing and making a complaint just happened to post on mumsnet within a couple of hours of each other is a coincidence? You're more trusting than me.

MusicalFanjo · 16/12/2015 15:34

To mimic everyone above I think you WBU to complain too.

I'm younger than you ( just turned 22) and while I haven't lived in supported housing I have lived in shared accommodation a handful of times. I used to get extremely pissed off with my housemates leaving wet washing in the machine whilst they buggered off out for a few days. It's inconsiderate, as is not washing your dishes straight away. That's the thing with shared accommodation, you have to forget about your own convenience and focus on consideration towards everyone else.

The fact they was keen to know about your periods and contraception as well as wanting to attend doctors appointments (which I don't agree with) tells me that perhaps they don't think you are as far along in your recovery as you think you are.

goodnightdarthvader1 · 16/12/2015 15:35

Easy, Booy. I'm not the troll here.

Since the OP got slated on the other thread too, seems they've failed in making their point if they were trying to.

MusicalFanjo · 16/12/2015 15:35

Major x-posts!

I didn't see the other thread. I've been had haven't I?

Fuckers.

Groovee · 16/12/2015 15:36

I think the support workers choice of words were poorly chosen! But we do only have your side of the story and what you are like. Other residents may be moaning.

Sort your washing before you go to your boyfriend's. Or do your washing there.

BooyakaTurkeyisMassive · 16/12/2015 15:41

I wasn't having a go at you. Just a bit incredulous. Smile

Unreasonablebetty · 16/12/2015 15:42

It sounds to me like in the past you have been quite inconsiderate leaving dishes unwashed and washing in the machine for the next person to move for you.
These are simple responsibilities of yours, that if you don't ensure you have taken care of will in the end either
A- become a habit where you aren't dealing with your washing properly and end up with piles of washing and washing up lying around with a baby, which could bite you in the arse, I'm not sure how it happens, as I have mental issues, but I've never had SS sniffing around to make sure that I'm taking care of the house and my child, but plenty of people who I know have had, and that's the kind of thing that SS seem to take notice of apparently.

B- the carers have to pester you, because if you don't do it, they have to. They can't leave it, but it's also unfair on them if you need to move your washing, if you are more than able to do it yourself.

Just take care of yourself now you are more able, don't allow them the opportunity to moan at you.

They sound quite nice by the way.

Potatoface2 · 16/12/2015 15:45

living in assisted housing due to a breakdown, housefire, cant wash a plate or do your own washing cos seeing your boyfriend is more important.....and now pregnant......you have to put a baby first you know....i do hope you have a social worker

Garlick · 16/12/2015 15:46

Boo - Bother. I took quite a bit of care over my wording, too.

Feeling very briefly miffed ... whoops! All over now Xmas Smile

AndNowItsSeven · 16/12/2015 15:58

Booyaka yes very similar.

Arfarfanarf · 16/12/2015 16:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

reni2 · 16/12/2015 16:34

I think if you replace "feeling patronised" with "being supported" it probably all falls into place. If you no longer need the support you can of course move out and set all your own rules. Maybe write a thank you letter to the support staff instead of a complaint about them when you leave.

TheSecondViola · 16/12/2015 17:06

I agree with above. If you don't need the support you need to move on and free the place for the many waiting behind you. If you feel patronised by the support its because you don't need it anymore.
And if all they are doing is asking you to deal with your own laundry and your own dishes, that not patronising.

Terrihat · 16/12/2015 17:11

I don't understand, if you had to leave in 5 minutes why would you not make lunch or whatever a bit earlier then make sure you had time to tidy up after yourself.. Seems fairly obvious.

MultishirkingAgain · 16/12/2015 17:24

Any shared house I've lived in, leaving dirty dishes, or leaving washing in the machine, would become seriously annoying. They're right to ask you to do these things, and leaving them to go to lectures or your boyfriend's house is unacceptable.

YABU.

Pepperpot99 · 17/12/2015 12:03

Sorry but I am a bit confused now......are we saying this is not a genuine thread? Confused