To feel bad that I am a cleaner ?

[LidiaM]

I used to work as a medical receptionist, I then had a baby, went on maternity leave and been off from work for 2 years now,
I have been given a job at the nice hotel in the office, signed my contract and was meant to start the training however with the coronavirus situation they have withdrawn my application...
I need money so I kept looking and found a job as an evening office cleaner, to be honest - I dont mind the work at all , it works perfect with my hours, I would get weekends off, the offices are brand new and I really like to clean, I always clean my house and I enjoy it.
The problem is that I am 25 and my father in law commented on me that I am way too young to be cleaning and way too qualified,
He made me feel ashamed and unsecure at the fact that I am cleaning toilets.
As I said, Me and my husband need money ! we have never claimed any benefits and I dont see anyyhing wrong with claiming btw, I just never wanted to , I know that this job is going to last for about few months only because when my little girl turns 3 I will go back as a medical reception admin and my daugter will then start nursery.
I always believed that a job is a job however I now feel bad about it,
my new boss from the cleaning company asked for some references, I now know that they will be rumours about me probably that I am just a failer to be cleaning ! I had nasty girls working in the medical practise and now everybody will know.
I know I should not care and I wouldt have been if not my father in law.
I feel like a piece of shit

If the whole of society is one big wheel then cleaners are the oil. Because the whole wheel stops turning without them. Your job is not just important, it is crucial. Now more than ever.

Ignore your snobby FIL. Without people like you, his whole life grinds to a halt too.

You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. You are providing for your family.
Your FIL is an arse.

oh dear, you guys have no idea how much better you all have made me feel.. I have tears in my eyes , all bless your kind words and hearts ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

You shouldn't feel bad at all OP. I did a cleaning job for 6 months because it was the only job I could find to fit around my DS. I went back from maternity leave to my job but the hours were gruelling and I felt like my DS never saw me so I handed in my notice for a cleaning job. I did that for 6 months then found a job in an office as an accounts assistant. I've been doing that almost 2 years now and have progressed.

The pay for cleaning was really decent, it was actually better than the pay I got at first as an accounts assistant. I enjoyed it and it kept me fit and helped me lost a lot of the weight I gained whilst pregnant and best of all, I got a lot more time with my DS while he was young and needed me. Be proud, we do what we need to and cleaning is very therapeutic in many ways ♥️

These votes are weird!
OP has asked AIBU 'To feel bad that I am a cleaner'.
Comments are supportive so shouldn't the vote be YABU???
Or AIBU???

Be proud of yourself OP.

I'm really angry on your behalf. Cleaners are an essential and important role. I agree with pp that attitudes to cleaners are rooted in misogyny.

I’ve always been really really great FIL to the wonderful woman who does our office. She does an impeccable job and is always up for a chat when we’ve both got a bit of downtime. I’ve actually really missed her while on a break from work. Please don’t be ashamed of what you do - there are lots of people who appreciate what you do.

What's wrong with being a cleaner? It's a job, you're earning your own money, contributing to society and doing an honest days work. Hold your head up high.

My cleaner cancelled this week as she is on a well deserved holiday, honestly I had a Margo Ledbetter moment (you’re prob too young to get the reference) what am I going to do?? I can not clean, I’m crap at it without people like you my life would be literally shit. Don’t ever feel down about your job, it’s way more important and useful than mine.

I think you’ve got your priorities in the right place... providing for your family. You are taking your responsibilities seriously. Cleaning is one of the most important jobs going! Where the hell would we all be if no one cleaned?
All this bollocks about what people ‘should’ do and ‘shouldn’t do’ is socially constructed Twaddle.
You are someone I’d look up to...... those that think badly of you, now those I’d look down on.
Go you x

You have a fil problem. There is nothing wrong with cleaning.

Cleaners are really important. If the manager were to be absent, the organisation would continue to function. If the cleaner was absent, they would have to be replaced or it would have to close the next day.

FIL sounds like a prick! Well done you! Think of that advert that’s been on the tv recently about the cleaner who helped put the man on the moon! Don’t ever feel bad

Cleaners are vital - I can't run my business without them.

Ignore the FIL. He 's an idiot

Please don't feel bad. It fits in with your life, you're earning money and probably getting fitter than you would at the gym! Don't listen to your FIL.

Does your FIL work? I imagine he expects to work somewhere clean and hygienic and doesn't think about how that happens.

Does your MIL keep their house clean and tidy without any input from him (assuming there is a MIL living with him)?

I imagine he has no idea. He needs a reality check, cleaners are essential and so undervalued in the workplace. You are essential, be proud.

You should be proud. Your attitude and work ethic rocks

As a previous poster said, “honest work for honest pay”. You are working (and working hard at that) to support your family. You should absolutely be proud of yourself, not ashamed. Your FIL is an utter pillock.

IMO your FIL is an ignorant little man. Please ignore any future opinions he may foist upon you. Snobbery is the mark of insecurity. Be proud of your determination and effort.

Don't feel bad or embarrassed or ashamed or anything. Be proud that you are providing for your family.
I cleaned for a couple of years despite all kinds of qualifications. My parents were fine about it but my uncle went off on one about it.
I just ignored it.
It's a job. It brings money. I enjoyed it actually.
I enjoyed the feeling of pride of turning a total shit tip into a lovely, clean welcoming place for the next guests.

I now have my own business doing something else.
Cleaning doesn't have to be forever and even if it was, so what?

We need to stop with all this snobby attitude to jobs like this. There's one thing that most people expect above anything else - and that's cleanliness and hygiene, whether it's in a hotel, in a shop, at the office. Nothing cleans itself!

Errr you’re working and providing for your family.

Cleaning is honest work. And it’s important work too despite what some think, it’s one of those things that people don’t realise is so vital until it stops! It’s even more important in these times with a pandemic. And you can have a say in your hours which is a lot more flexible than many jobs.

im a cleaner at a restaurant (chain one) today we have anti backed the toilets from top to bottom, cleaned the whole restaurant as we normally do and when my shift is finished and I look round at the gleaming shiny place that I work in I feel a real sense of pride, at our place the evening staff are mainly young people they wouldn't clean it like we do and the kitchen cleaner is a man and the same as us when hes finished cleaning the kitchen it gleams, I was a chef for years and so glad I switched to less stress and less hours there is nothing wrong or shameful about being a cleaner

I'm thinking of cleaning on the side to help pay for my masters, plenty of highly qualified people do cleaning it's just that a lot of people don't realise this.
And even if you're not highly qualified it shouldn't matter, you're employed, earning an honest living and providing for your family. And that's all you need to focus on. All the best in your new job