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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:
NaiceShoes · 14/12/2018 19:02

Wow, eye-opening thread. I had no idea heating was thought of as a luxury!

Hector2000 · 14/12/2018 19:10

I think you are being a little unreasonable. Perhaps farmers should heat their fields for people working in them/with cattle ? Maybe they heat cowsheds, I don’t know 🧐. But I don’t have the heating on during the day as it’s too expensive, so I’d expect a cleaner to put up with it.

dorisdog · 14/12/2018 19:13

A workplace should be a decent temperature. Maybe check online what the temperature is meant to be for workplaces with moderate activity. (Union websites might be a good start). It'll be a bit less than for people sat in offices. Then invest in a cheap thermometer and point it out to them if the temperature is too low.

Turnitaroundagain · 14/12/2018 19:14

Get yourself some ugg boots or similar they’ll keep your toes cosy and wear a hat and bodywarmer and have hot drinks. A good one is ginger tea using fresh ginger in a flask it’s very warming. People can be funny about putting the heating on.

BettyBitchface · 14/12/2018 19:16

I'm going to make the accusation that the persons on this thread basically saying let the cleaner freeze would be the first fuckers to pipe up if they arrived at work and the management had turned the heating off.

1moreRep · 14/12/2018 19:19

hmm well i can barely afford the heating to be on, i only put it on for the dcs. Therefore there's no way i'd pop it on for my cleaner, however, if i can't afford the heating,i certainly can't afford a cleaner.

if i could afford the heating i would allow it

stressedtiredbuthappy · 14/12/2018 19:22

I love this! People can't afford an extra hour or two of heating but they can afford a cleaner!
I'm also a self employed cleaner and no one leaves the heating on for me either, I never even thought about it before now!
I would find it really weird if they were actually home with no heating on, but like them that make themselves a hot drink and don't bother to get you one.
Ignorant.

dangermouseisace · 14/12/2018 19:25

Look if I can be running reasonably fast and still be cold (particularly arms, hands feet) despite wearing a thermal outfit/gloves a person cleaning can be cold. YANBU to request heating on. I wouldn’t expect anyone to do indoor work in the cold.

Original poster
Loobyloo16 · 14/12/2018 19:25

@hector the difference there is that farmers couldn't warm a field even if they wanted to and I'm sure they would if they could! Non argument.

Ok, I never have the heating on during the day either unless it's -1 but the residue heat from the previous day at least keeps the house a little warm.

I REPEAT, this house was freezing!!

Anyway next time I will wear thermasls, a wooly hat and I'll also grow a huge pair Grin

I do hate the cold though. I'm the one always hugging the radiator whenever I enter a building.
I grew up in a house with no central heating so maybe that's why?

OP posts:
Original poster
Loobyloo16 · 14/12/2018 19:29

@stressed I've had that happen, then when they have other visitors they make them a drink straight away, I find it so very rude! very upstairs, downstairs. Luckily it's only happened twice the rest of my clients are lovely, even frozen house lady Grin

OP posts:
viques · 14/12/2018 19:32

I think all the people saying cleaning keeps you warm are a bit mean. If you go into a house at 9.00 when the heating has only just gone off then cleaning will keep you warm in a slightly warm house. If you go in at 2.00 on a cold day when the heating has been off for five hours you are going to have to move like lightning to keep warm in a chilly atmosphere when you are constantly moving from cold room to cold room. Most heating systems have a boost function where it will come on for an hour, I think employers should show this to cleaners so they can at least have a semi warm house to work in.

Tessabelle1 · 14/12/2018 19:39

Minimum legal working temperature is 13 degrees C if you have a vigorous job, which if you're doing it right, cleaning is. As you're self employed though it's up to you to negotiate with your clients. Personally I wouldn't put the heating on you're only there an hour or 2 it's a waste of resources for the rest of the time

WilburforceRaven · 14/12/2018 19:45

Since you're so busy why not just let this client go? Seems you've picked a rather unfortunate career for someone who has Reynaud's syndrome.

There are very lightweight and efficient thermals out there, people who participate in outdoor Winter sports use them.

I think YABVU.

VladmirsPoutine · 14/12/2018 19:46

The Victorian factory owners are out in force on this thread.

SongforSal · 14/12/2018 19:48

When my teens were little and at primary school, I worked 3 days cleaning local country houses. One twatt told me not to come back because I looked like I didn't want to be there, with my coat on they perceived I was ready to run out the door at any munute.
They had me doing the ironing, in the winter, in a tack room next to the horses stable. My fingers would be blue, and I'd be shivering.

Original poster
Loobyloo16 · 14/12/2018 19:52

@wilbur I really like this client so wouldn't give up with them because of this and I hate turning work down!
Unfortunate career? I go into houses to clean, I don't go into igloos to clean.
Although this house could be described as an igloo.

OP posts:
fizzthecat1 · 14/12/2018 19:53

OP there are specialist thermal clothes you can wear for things like skiing etc that will keep you warm. I wear these around my house as I'm not a fan of the heating being on for very long, it makes the air feel all muggy and it's not good for your skin.

These socks are amazing, they don't feel bulky to wear at all, I also wear thermal tops from m&s. I know it's annoying but I also know what it's like to hate having the heating on, and I hate being cold so these do work.

www.amazon.co.uk/Ladies-Pair-Holders-Striped-Socks/dp/B075ZZ6KP2/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=heat+holder+1.6+tog+long+socks&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1544817155&sr=8-3

WilburforceRaven · 14/12/2018 19:59

Then buy specialist thermals and crack on rather than whinging, Looby. It's a pisstake to expect them to increase their heating bill on top of paying you. I'd let you go and hire someone else in that instance because it's effectively raising your prices to them. Some people don't mind being very cold.

Fairylightfurore · 14/12/2018 20:04

FFS I would have thought if they can afford s cleaner, they can afford to leave the heating on. I' m with you op, every other workplace would have heating as standard.

Aragog · 14/12/2018 20:05

It isnt even cold yet.....

It was -1C when I arrived at work this morning. In Sheffield, so not even the far north!

I have arthritis and I really feel the cold. It causes me pain. It is no myth that cold weather can increase pain. And no, layering up will not help me either. It just doesn't work like that.
I take a lot of medication for it as it is, but can't really take tons of pain meds when I am working as it is likely to impair my work a little.

The HSE does have recommended working temperatures:

"The Approved Code of Practice suggests the minimum temperature in a workplace should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius. If the work involves rigorous physical effort, the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius"

To be best I would find 16c too low.

Luckily my employers - albeit not a private client like the OP - like me and care about my health, so they ensure I am warm at work and therefore in less pain.

Aragog · 14/12/2018 20:06

If someone can afford to pay a cleaner to do their personal household cleaning then they are not at the situation were heating is a luxury!

Bluntness100 · 14/12/2018 20:08

Op, I believe you, some houses can get very cold. People can be very defensive about putting the heating on as you've seen.

I think uou need to assume that if they don't have the heating on it's for financial reasons, as such either stop doing those houses, or layer up.

lily2403 · 14/12/2018 20:11

My employer has to put heating on for me while I work...I think it shouldn’t be any different for you

Gwenhwyfar · 14/12/2018 20:14

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

WTF? These are people who hire a cleaner! They can afford luxuries!

Gwenhwyfar · 14/12/2018 20:16

"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."

F off. Just because you want to freeze, doesn't mean you should force it on someone who works for you.