Cleaning other people's mess

[GlossyGlossy]

At work for the past six months or so I have not entered or used any of the communal staff areas (toilets and staff room). I have actively chosen not to use these areas due to them being left in a continuously disgusting mess and other members of staff (some of whom have now moved on) never taking a turn to clean up. Fed up of cleaning mould, shit, piss etc up after other people, I take my break elsewhere instead of the staff room. I use the customer toilets which are obviously cleaned by all staff several times a day.

Management have now added a cleaning hour to the rota as part of the daily setup. Whichever staff member is on shift is now responsible for cleaning staff room and toilets a few times a week (as well as public areas). This came into place a few weeks ago and so far nobody has cleaned the staff areas.

I was informed by my manager today that the sink has exploded in the toilets all over the floor, that there is urine all over the toilet seats and that they are generally disgusting. She has told me I must clean all of it over the weekend as I am on for the cleaning shift. I agreed at the time as I don't want to appear difficult and unco-operative but I don't think it's fair to expect me to take responsibility for weeks/months of mess that I haven't even contributed to.

AIBU?

Does the manager not like you? Seems a bit mean to single you out!

What is your job description? Do they not have proper cleaners?

It all sounds disgusting and I wouldn't b down my it, especially if I hadn't been using them, u should have spoke up at the time.

Is your job to be a cleaner? If so you may be in the wrong post!

It sounds awful! Since you will need to use cleaning products, make sure you ask for a risk assessment first and any necessary protective clothing to be provided - rubber gloves, overall etc. Also COSHH training if you haven't already had it.

I am suggesting this not to be over-cautious, but in the hope it might make your manager less blasé about dumping the task on you and others.

No way, you're not using the facilities and you are not employed as a cleaner, so I'd refuse to do it unless your job description specifically states you have to do it.

The manager can't prove whether you contributed to the mess or not, and to be frank it isn't her job to.

Unfortunately if you still want to work there unless you can come up with a reason not to clean it then you have to.

Is someone else in the rota with you? If so you both need to clean it at the same time

Its hospitality, but small enough that we dont have a separate cleaning crew.

All staff a responsible for cleaning and upkeep of public areas. Until recently there was no official cleaning schedule for the staff room etc. I think it was generally assumed that as we are all adults we would keep it in am acceptable state.

Generally get on ok with the manager, I don't want to appear petty but really think it unfair that I stopped using these areas months ago yet I'm going to be the one left to gut them out.

There's one thing just doing a general tidy up and another asking that. As a manager I never ask someone to do something I wouldn't go myself and I bet you they wouldn't and seem to cheap to hire a proper cleaner. If they are expecting you to do that they should also be providing you with the equipment and training to do it. Is this included in your contract?

And whilst there's no actual 'proof' that I haven't used these areas, they are on a different floor from everything else and I actually leave the premises during my break so it's well known that I'm never in there.

I don't think it's really relevant that you don't use them. I never drank coffee from the coffee machine when I was a waitress, but I still had to clean it when it was my turn.

Gosh, the thought of that makes me ill - what about you, op?

I think that's different yips - a coffee machine is part of the business. Whether you personally drink coffee or not doesn't matter - the customers you are responsible for serving do.

tea

I quite like ScreamingValenta's advice, above. You need PPE, a risk assessment and COSHH training

Honestly? I would tell him no. It's not fair. It hasn't been cleaned in months, and you don't use those areas at all, ever, because your coworkers are filthy pigs.

If he wants his employees to clean these areas, HE needs to get in their and clean them and start off the DAILY rota from a clean slate. Or hire someone to do it.

So the lav has exploded and there's urine everywhere but it's not going to get cleaned until the weekend, why didn't someone clean it today. I think you have to use approved products, you'll need training and a risk assessment.

Sorry misread, how does a sink explode.

I don't know why nobody has cleaned it today. I have been on later shifts this week so not responsible for morning cleaning.

I have COSHH training and would have equipment/gloves etc, but even in a biohazard suit I'm struggling to see why it should be me.

I've cleaned worse in that place without complaint - for example overflowing sanitary bins where the contents began to spill onto the floor because staff were using them to dispose of cleaning products and they became full before the hygiene company came to empty them.

As much as that was an unpleasant job, I'd never dream of avoiding cleaning it as it's an area used by customers and important for the running of the shop.

Holey I'm not sure as I still haven't been in there but I think stuff has been coming up through the drain or something.

When you say you work in hospitality, does that mean you sell food? Like a cafe or something?

If you've got blocked drains you won't fix that with a mop and bucket. I hope they've been put out of order and the manager has contacted the right people to fix it. That's really unhygienic.

Similar, bathroom.

AFAIK they're not officially "out of order". I'm not sure who uses them and who doesn't or if anyone does at all any more given how bad I've been told they are. My point is I played no part in getting them in that state but I'm being handed some responsibility for rectifying it.

*Sole responsibility

How long have you been there?
Is it part of your job description?

Been there nearly a year.

And no, not officially. To begin with we didn't have a staff room or toilets, those areas were used for storage so it was never an issue. After they were cleared and started to be used as staff areas - mainly to dump bags and take breaks in, most people didn't bother cleaning up after themselves. My choices were either to continue to use them and sit amongst other people's sticky and mouldy leftovers/clean up after them myself or to stop using them altogether and leave the premises on during my break which is what I have been doing for the past six months or so.