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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to think workmen should plan their toilet breaks better?

192 replies

rockcake · 23/02/2017 21:56

I don't think I've ever had a workman come to the house who hasn't asked to use the loo. Happens every time.

For the last 10 days I've had neighbours' workmen in and out as it's been helpful to them to have scaffolding built in our garden - they're on the 3rd floor - which is fair enough. They've all been as unobtrusive as possible and not asked to use the loo until two particularly scuzzy men turned up to remove the scaffolding today. No sooner were they through the door than one asked to use the loo, so I grudgingly said ok.... dd told me 5 mins later that someone's not flushed their wee - no guesses who - so I flushed it for him.

They're about to leave when I see workman 1 directing workmen 2 to the loo, so I said "make sure you flush it please, your mate didn't...."

Workmen left looking sheepish - but Aibu to think workmen generally should try and use public loos whenever possible? I live in a busy street with 2 cafes only yards away and I always want to direct workmen there, but never summon the nerve to say it.

Am I a wimp - or just not very nice for HATING workmen using my bathroom? Even though I go in with the wipes and the bleach afterwards it still makes me cringe.

What do you do?

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 23/02/2017 21:58

Whenever I have had work done, and I've had a lot as we've completely renovated this place the builders have brought in portaloos. When the kitchen was replaced they used the downstairs loo and when we had scaffolding installed they never asked. So basically work outside the home they don't ask, work inside the home they use the loo.

namechange20050 · 23/02/2017 21:58

Ooh disgusting work men making you cringe! Poor you op, I don't know how you cope Hmm

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 23/02/2017 21:59

Really?

KindergartenKop · 23/02/2017 21:59

Oooh mumsnet loves a workman/toilet thread!
'Skuzzy'?

SanitysSake · 23/02/2017 22:00

I wouldn't let them. Not unless they were specifically working for me and had been there some time.

hibbledobble · 23/02/2017 22:01

This has already been discussed to death, and the outcome was yabu.

GreenRut · 23/02/2017 22:01

If you were visiting a client's office with your job, you would expect to be able to use their toilets, and it's no different. They are coming into their place of work and need the toilet! Yes not flushing isn't great but not the worst thing that could happen, surely?!

Trumpssyrup · 23/02/2017 22:02

Hey name change! I think it's a bit much people using your loo properly and not flushing etc. That's gross, yes cringe here too 😱😵😣😥

DJKKSlider · 23/02/2017 22:02

You should let them just pee in the garden then OP, seeing as your shit hole is much too naice for their dirty working class piss.

Hmm
SylvesterMcM0nkeyMcBean · 23/02/2017 22:02

what would you do

If someone was in my house, for whatever reason, and had a need to use the facilities I would let them without judgement.

Because I am not a twat.

BarbarianMum · 23/02/2017 22:03

If you are employing someone in your home you are legally obliged to provide for their welfare needs ie a toilet. If you don't want them to use your toilet you should have clarified that at the tender stage and asked them to include a port a loo in their quote.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 23/02/2017 22:04

In your current situation they should clearly be using neighbours' loo, not yours, but when you're having work done in your own house you think it's more reasonable to ask them to use a cafe toilet than to use the loo in the home they're working in? Wtf?

PonderLand · 23/02/2017 22:04

Why can't they use the toilet of the person they're doing work for? I'd never go up to a stranger and ask to use their toilet. Which is what they're doing as you haven't met them, know who they work for, paid them of hired them!
I have no issue with someone using the toilet if they are doing work on my property.

londonrach · 23/02/2017 22:05

I dont get this. Its a toilet. A human being needs to use it.

PonderLand · 23/02/2017 22:05

RTFT they are not working for the OP.

DorcasthePuffin · 23/02/2017 22:06

Does it make you cringe when visitors use your loo, OP? Or is it only workmen who make you cringe?

Rixera · 23/02/2017 22:07

Yes, of course they can use my toilet.
All but one, who I will never forget, because he DIDN'T SHUT THE DOOR.
Shock

SylvesterMcM0nkeyMcBean · 23/02/2017 22:08

Doesn't matter if they're working for the op or not, they were in her house and needed to use the facilities.

BarbarianMum · 23/02/2017 22:08

Then the OP should have made it clear to the neighbour that toilet facilities weren't included in the deal so alternative arrangements could be put in place. Workmen are entitled to toilet access (without hunting our public loos) just like any other worker.

NSEA · 23/02/2017 22:10

It's annoying that you haven't employed them and yet they want to use your facilities - but its a toilet, they're not helping themselves to lunch.

Blossomdeary · 23/02/2017 22:11

I would not begrudge anyone a pee in my toilet if they were in need of one. Why would you not want them to?

SylvesterMcM0nkeyMcBean · 23/02/2017 22:13

Send an invoice to your neighbour to cover the water and wipes/bleach used perhaps?

Is there any other group of people who freak you out if they use your toilet, or just men who do manual work?

Babybubblescomingsoon · 23/02/2017 22:23

Oh my god you go in afterwards with bleach too?! I totally understand, they probably have rabies and may infect you, poor poor thing Shock have a Wine and focus on the important things in life op Hmm

Babybubblescomingsoon · 23/02/2017 22:24

^ sorry op, that was my friend who decided to reply on my behalf Blush

PickAChew · 23/02/2017 22:25

No public loos where I live. Most workmen use a bucket in the van, or out of view in the garden, IME.