Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect them to put the heating on for me?

275 replies

Loobyloo16 · 13/12/2018 08:04

I'm a self employed cleaner. Now its coming colder a few of my clients still don't put their heating on. One works from home but just sits in a room with the fire on, another says she doesn't feel the cold. I went to a client yesterday and it was freezing, my toes were going numb, I did tell her but she still didn't put it on.
Another has told me to put it on myself if I'm cold, which I do.

I know it's no big deal in the grand scheme of things but I hate been cold and it's miserable cleaning with numb toes. People always say 'i thought you'd get warm with cleaning" I do but not that warm!

OP posts:
DoneLikeAKipper · 13/12/2018 08:10

Heating is (unfortunately) a luxury. I suggest wearing extra layers (thermal vest, two pairs of socks, jumper, whatever you can).

Perhaps stop cleaning with numb toes, keeping them in your shoes would definitely keep them warmer.

Original poster
Loobyloo16 · 13/12/2018 08:15

If I put lots of layers on I'll be an even more uncomfortable cleaner! I already do anyway just not as many as you say.
These people are very well off btw.

OP posts:
Original poster
Loobyloo16 · 13/12/2018 08:16

I do wear shoes but I get very cold hands and feet in winter

OP posts:
Whynotnowbaby · 13/12/2018 08:18

I’m not sure, if they don’t have it on for themselves I guess it doesn’t occur to them, I don’t think you can insist, it sounds like you need to invest in some lightweight thermals, M and S do good ones.

jessstan2 · 13/12/2018 08:20

Some people are just like that, they're inconsiderate. If it was any other sort of workplace, you'd have heating, employers are supposed to supply it and there is a minimum temperature in which one is expected to work. However, when it comes to employing a cleaner for home, the employer can take the piss.

I'm glad one at least said you can put the heating on, that is considerate, and I would take them at their word.

I feel for you. I hate the cold but would never expect anyone to work for me in cold conditions.

There's no doubt some people feel it's character building to exist in cold conditions (my in laws did up to a point but they lived through the war years and rationing), I don't get that at all.

You could take a little fan heater to work with you and put it on in the rooms you're working on - as long as you're on your own.

marvellousnightforamooncup · 13/12/2018 08:21

I live in Scotland (hardly a balmy climate) and I am home all day without heating on. Get a grip, a jumper and more vigorous cleaning.

Original poster
Loobyloo16 · 13/12/2018 08:22

I guess it's the client who sits In a room with the fire on at full blast while I'm cold that I get a bit Hmm
I'm all layered up for my first job Smile

OP posts:
AntiHop · 13/12/2018 08:24

Yanbu. I'd talk to them again.

CantChoose · 13/12/2018 08:26

I think if you’ve mentioned it to them I think they’re being a bit unreasonable not to offer.
I’ve offered to put the heating on for my cleaner several times when I’ve been home but she says she gets really hot and asks to open a window instead! So I say it’s fine and freeze Grin.

dadshere · 13/12/2018 08:28

If you are a registered cleaner, paying tax and NI then your employers have a legal duty of care towards you, and must provide you with a 'comfortble' workplace. If it is cash in hand, you have very few rights.

DoneLikeAKipper · 13/12/2018 08:28

I'll be an even more uncomfortable cleaner!

Uncomfortable, how? When cold, more layers or thermal clothing generally makes you warmer, especially in a physical job.

MacarenaFerreiro · 13/12/2018 08:29

I work from home, quite often I'll use the time my cleaner is here to pop out and get jobs done and leave her in peace. I don't leave the heating on as standard - but I have shown her where the controls are and how to use it. Up to her.

She never turns it on though, says the active cleaning keeps her plenty warm enough. Different people have different levels of warmth they require. If you're cold, say something.

AntMoon · 13/12/2018 08:29

I've been a cleaner (& hate being cold) but I never got the chance to get cold even in big cold houses, vacuuming, washing floors, etc etc, the job kept me warm...but I go 100 miles hour...

I'd never expect clients to put the heating on for me and I wouldn't ask, but if I had a cleaner I'd think of them and I would make sure it wasn't cold.

UhUhUhDennis · 13/12/2018 08:30

If it were me at the start of winter i would send a generic email/leave a printed note into each house saying I suffer with very cold hands and feet it can impair my ability to clean I do require the heating in where at all possible whilst I work or I may have to rearrange to a warmer day. Unless you think this would really piss them off and they'd replace you I'd give it a cheeky go.

DamnCommandments · 13/12/2018 08:31

How cold is it in the house? My thermostat is set at 18, which I know is cold for many people. I would turn it up for guests, but I'd expect a cleaner to feel warmer because they're moving around.

MacarenaFerreiro · 13/12/2018 08:32

If you are a registered cleaner, paying tax and NI then your employers have a legal duty of care towards you, and must provide you with a 'comfortble' workplace

What on earth does this even mean? OP says she is self-employed. People who are using her services are NOT her employer and don't have a "duty of care to provide a comfortable workplace". She will be paying her own tax and NI, irrespective of how her clients settle her bills.

Eilaianne · 13/12/2018 08:32

Utterly meaningless without more context

A well insulated flat with neighbour heating isn't the same as a draughty old cottage with weird nooks and crannies that cannot be insulated safely without damp introduction

What's the temp in the rooms OP?

Vital information really

eurochick · 13/12/2018 08:33

I'm amazed you can be cold cleaning. I'm always boiling!

xwhoiamx · 13/12/2018 08:36

Is your employer with the fire actually Ebenezer Scrooge?

loubluee · 13/12/2018 08:43

I have to say to my cleaner turn the heating down if you are hot as I’m always cold!

BabySharkAteMyHamster · 13/12/2018 08:45

It isnt even cold yet.........id invest in some decent thermals bug wouldnt expect people to needlessly put heating on.

Lalliella · 13/12/2018 08:45

Take a portable plug in heater with you and take it round each room with you plugging it in as you go.

MacarenaFerreiro · 13/12/2018 08:47

It isnt even cold yet

Bollocks.

It's been under 5C here all week. That's fridge temperature.

Hate people who seem to think they are better than others because they never turn the heating on.

swingofthings · 13/12/2018 08:47

Same here how can you be cold cleaning? Start with the most physical activities, cleaning bathroom, vaccuming and you then shouldn't feel the cold. I'd be wondering what my cleaner was up to if she complained of the cold.

Orchiddingme · 13/12/2018 08:53

My cleaner works for three hours, I wouldn't be expecting her to vigorously be scrubbing or hoovering for the entire three hours enough to keep her warm the whole time!

OP come and work for us, my husband has the heating on very hot and our poor cleaner does get too hot and I have to turn it off before she gets here!