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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:
PortiaCastis · 05/12/2019 13:52

Did you tell him to put the fag out or did you just hide whilst curtain twitching and being nosey

Nat6999 · 05/12/2019 13:52

The council I'm under always put on letters for appointments at home that the residents are requested not to smoke during the duration of the visit.

Original poster
Jasmineflair · 05/12/2019 13:53

If I had come on saying it was a postman would the response have been different? I’m genuinely interested in people’s reasoning behind it being okay. Is it because he is working a labouring job or because he works for the council? Why is it okay for him to smoke whilst working? Would I have been told I wasn’t BU if he came to my house and was on my garden? It’s not sarcasm I honestly want to know

OP posts:
Otterseatpuffinsdontthey · 05/12/2019 13:53

What I would like to know is why council workers were doing maintenance work on "private land" (your 13.27 post)?
If your neighbour is going to report him, perhaps, when you're washing your own nets, you could also do hers? Wink

andpancakesforbreakfast · 05/12/2019 13:54

If he was in the front garden, I couldn't be bothered about it. Much better than all the twats who seem to think they have a right to listen to ridiculously loud radio outside because they "work" don't you know.

If he didn't wait to finish his fag to come and speak with neighbour, that was rude.

Original poster
Jasmineflair · 05/12/2019 13:55

Nat6999 That’s quite interesting I’ve never had to have anyone from the council round so not sure if the same rules apply under mine

OP posts:
HellonHeels · 05/12/2019 13:55

Making the council look bad?! One of my previous councils had form for corruption, my current one is so useless they can't even get parking permits done correctly. In comparison, I don't think a contracted-out worker having a fag OUTSIDE will cause much lowering of public opinion.

This thread is ridiculous.

andpancakesforbreakfast · 05/12/2019 13:55

Why is it okay for him to smoke whilst working?

why isn't it? If my gardener or my car mechanic smoke, that's not my problem. It only becomes an issue if it's inside, food related, or my belongings start to stink of smoke.

TheStaleBiscuitofDoom · 05/12/2019 13:56

If I had come on saying it was a postman would the response have been different?

No. I'd still think you were a sad curtain twitcher with no life.

Original poster
Jasmineflair · 05/12/2019 13:56

Round here you can pay the council to help you with house and garden maintenance if you own your home. I presume most councils do. So what makes it worse is she paid directly for that visit

OP posts:
Justmuddlingalong · 05/12/2019 13:57

Unless he was blowing the fag reek through her letterbox, I can't see what the big drama is.

goodwinter · 05/12/2019 13:57

Ooh, the old "I pay your wages". Gross.

Hirsutefirs · 05/12/2019 13:57

We don’t like sneaks in this school.

Original poster
Jasmineflair · 05/12/2019 13:58

I am genuinely intrigued by this subject now. All I’ve done is post an AIBU, my neighbour is the one who’s complained I haven’t actually done anything ‘wrong’ other than share an opinion online. So the consensus is that if you are working but you’re outside then you can smoke, whether you are on private or public land?

OP posts:
WinterIsHere1990 · 05/12/2019 13:59

Jasmineflair,

I worry that this sort of thing 'interests' you at such a young age.

PLEASE get a life and/or hobby.

messolini9 · 05/12/2019 13:59

I’m 24, never made a formal complaint in my life and don’t own net curtains so very far away from being Mrs Bucket

Don't be too sad about it OP, we've all gotta start somewhere.

user12345796 · 05/12/2019 13:59

Go and pick a bigger battle. Pick on someone speeding past a school, pick on a drink driver, pick on someone screeching at their toddler, pick on someone dropping litter or not picking up after their dog, but leave this man alone. He is only harming himself for goodness sake.

x2boys · 05/12/2019 14:00

Actually I know many Dr,s and Nurses that did smoke illicitly whilst they were supposed to be working it was mental.health ,so no surgeon's.

MargotB7 · 05/12/2019 14:00

You sound like a sad individual.

VladmirsPoutine · 05/12/2019 14:00

This is PEAK "I'd like to speak to your manager" energy Grin

Hirsutefirs · 05/12/2019 14:00

Whether smoking outside is all right depends.

For instance, are we in Nazi Germany?

goodwinter · 05/12/2019 14:01

OP you know MN is, in general, very anti smoking. So the fact that you're getting this response should indicate that it's not actually about supporting everyone's right to smoke whenever and wherever they want. It's just that it's such a small issue to complain to someone's employer about that it seems incredibly petty and quite mean.

messolini9 · 05/12/2019 14:02

So the consensus is that if you are working but you’re outside then you can smoke, whether you are on private or public land?

I suspect the consensus is more "don't give a toss, why do you?"

Original poster
Jasmineflair · 05/12/2019 14:03

My OP isn’t about complaining, I’m not even the one complaining. It’s purely about smoking on the job but I now know that it is acceptable and I’ve been thrown to the dogs for thinking it isn’t. Yes I must get a life instead of looking out for elderly lone neighbour who can’t defend herself. I’ll just tell her to stuff it next time!

OP posts:
TubsGlory · 05/12/2019 14:04

I've learnt from experience that so many people have tremendous amounts of shite going on in their private lives and each day can be a case of putting one foot in front of the other and just trying your best to make it through the day.
You have no idea around his circumstances and why he might have been smoking.
On the other hand his life could be dandy and he was just being a plonker.

I'm not sure I'd be willing to risk.his employment over something so inconsequential.