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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Council worker smoking

170 replies

Jasmineflair · 05/12/2019 13:18

Just witnessed a council maintenance worker smoking whilst doing something for my neighbour. He walked up to the door with a fag on and continued to smoke whilst completing the errand on their front garden! Really doesn’t give off a good look. Should they be smoking on the job?

OP posts:
ItsAPleasureSwingYouFuckNut · 05/12/2019 13:20

Does it matter? He was outside, why on earth would it bother you.

I'm sure lots of people will be along shortly to tell you to "report him". That would be ideal for him just before Christmas, wouldn't it.

GinDaddy · 05/12/2019 13:21

It's your neighbour's problem. If you want to get involved, and potentially contribute to someone losing their job before Christmas for a minor indiscretion, then you could report it. Otherwise, yes I think it's wrong and they shouldn't be smoking on the job, but people do, and if he's doing a good job, some may overlook it.

As long as smoke or fag butts don't end up in your garden, I fail to see the issue.

Myusername101 · 05/12/2019 13:21

Adult smokes outside. Stop the press.

FrankieDoyle · 05/12/2019 13:21

I think YABU actually. I've seen plenty of maintenance men having a cigarette outside .

Original poster
Jasmineflair · 05/12/2019 13:22

I am a smoker and I think it’s disgusting to be smoking whilst working. That’s what breaks are for. He could have easily finished the cig before coming to the door. Would it be okay for a courier or a food delivery driver to do the job whilst smoking?

OP posts:
churchandstate · 05/12/2019 13:22

I wouldn’t like that in my front garden, but this seems like a case of none of your business.

theunknownknown · 05/12/2019 13:22

are you the grinch?
ffs

heartsonacake · 05/12/2019 13:23

Of course he shouldn’t be smoking on the job. If he wants to on his break, sure, but not while he is working.

It is wholly unprofessional and I imagine the council would not be very happy to find out he’s doing it (which he will be aware of, of course, and doing it regardless. So if you did report him, any consequences he faced would be on him, not you.)

rosie1959 · 05/12/2019 13:24

As long as he got the job done why on earth does it matter if he had a smoke at the same time

TheStaleBiscuitofDoom · 05/12/2019 13:25

Why don't you ask Father Christmas for a life? You're obviously in dire need of one.

Original poster
Jasmineflair · 05/12/2019 13:25

Neighbour is elderly and doesn’t smoke. Caught her as he left and she said she’s going to complain. I’m not going to as I am a smoker so it would be very hypocritical. Does this mean it’s okay for me to spark up whilst helping an elderly person with their shopping or taking them to their doctors appointment? (A carer) Just because they’re maintenance workers doesn’t give them a free pass to smoke on the job. I thought MN hated smokersConfused

OP posts:
GinDaddy · 05/12/2019 13:25

@Jasmineflair

"Disgusting" to be smoking while working?

I am a non smoker but my word I think that's a bit hyperbolic.

He should have finished the cigarette, but the guy is working outside in probably close to freezing temperatures, doing a maintenance job which will involve real effort etc...

Isn't there anything else of greater concern to you which could possibly displace and quell your irritation towards this chap going about his day?

MrsMaiselsMuff · 05/12/2019 13:26

Most council employee handbooks will prohibit them from smoking whilst working. But who would be petty enough to report them? They're getting on with their job and doing no one any harm.

thedancingbear · 05/12/2019 13:26

I'd report it, OP. If you're lucky, he'll be sacked before Christmas.

Good luck!

Original poster
Jasmineflair · 05/12/2019 13:27

What has smoking got to do with Christmas!😂 He was on neighbour’s garden so he was smoking on private land not out in public

OP posts:
TheStaleBiscuitofDoom · 05/12/2019 13:27

He wasn't even working on your house FFS.

MrsMaiselsMuff · 05/12/2019 13:27

Is your "neighbour" aware that the worker could lose their job over this?

heartsonacake · 05/12/2019 13:29

What has smoking got to do with Christmas!

Previous posters are trying to make you feel bad, OP, in case you might report him and he might lose his job. They don’t seem to understand that he knows the rules, is deliberately flouting them and doesn’t care about the consequences.

He has made the choice to smoke on the job, so if there are any repercussions from that he needs to face up to them.

EdersonsSmileyTattoo · 05/12/2019 13:29

I couldn’t get worked up about this, it’s not like he was stood in her living room having a fag is it?

Never mind OP neighbour will complain, job done for you.

FrankieDoyle · 05/12/2019 13:29

Your comparison of directly blowing smoke into your client's face doesn't really add up to what this guy was doing though.

heartsonacake · 05/12/2019 13:30

Is your "neighbour" aware that the worker could lose their job over this?

Pretty irrelevant. The council worker is aware he could lose his job over this, yet is doing it anyway.

TheStaleBiscuitofDoom · 05/12/2019 13:31

He smoked a cigarette. He didn't take a shit on her doorstep.Hmm

Original poster
Jasmineflair · 05/12/2019 13:31

Doctors and surgeons work long hard hours, quite often with no breaks. They still abide by work rules and do not smoke on the job. I’m sure he won’t lose his job due to neighbour complaining, probably just a formal warning and a training refresher course. If he does lose his job from it the he shouldn’t have been smoking in the first place! Elderly neighbour does not want people smoking in her garden and surely that’s for her to dictate. She was afraid to speak up and ask for them to stop as it was two burly men and she lives alone. Sorry for being such a ScroogeXmas Blush Next time I break a rule on the job I’ll just remember it’s okay because it’s nearly Christmas!

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 05/12/2019 13:31

Most maintenance workers are not employees of “the council” and actually work for contractors

geordiejock · 05/12/2019 13:32

No one is going to get the sack, they will laugh at the complaint then put it in the bin, where it belongs.

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