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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bin collectors shouting c*nt and sh*t at 6:30am

262 replies

Carrotcakefiend · 19/05/2020 06:53

We're on a street of terrace houses of mainly young families and over 65s. Our bin collection happens 6-7am on a Wednesday morning. The bin collectors do a good job and I have no problems with them talking loudly cos bin collection is never quiet anyway! But recently there's a new man, and he swears and swears at the top of his voice. This morning, he wife is a cnt apparently, and some other things are sht. It also sounded like he had a full on argument with one of the other collectors.

Aibu to ask them to stop yelling, or to mention it to the council?

I feel bad reporting someone doing a tough job, especially during the lockdown, but at the same time I feel it's really not ok to be speaking the way he does, yelling and shouting down the street. What would you do? Please help!

OP posts:
Dreeple · 19/05/2020 09:26

In the very rural area where we live, we’re all out cantering before 6.30.

Chillipeanuts · 19/05/2020 09:27

I wouldn’t like it either, just not on whatever time of day.
Councils generally have very clear policies about the conduct of their staff and they would want people to report.

Carrie7469 · 19/05/2020 09:29

It's obviously not professional and it's not very pleasant but it wouldn't occur to me to report or to complain. It's once a week for a few seconds and I couldn't get that worked up about it.

StatementKnickers · 19/05/2020 09:30

Report him to the council.

Lockheart · 19/05/2020 09:33

It's extremely rude and inconsiderate to be shouting in the street at that time. I know bin collection is noisy but there's no need to add to the cacophony.

I'm not particularly precious about swearing, but if it was any other man behaving aggressively in the street (and yes, shouting that your wife is a cunt is aggressive behaviour - hopefully he doesn't take it home to his wife), most MNers would be calling the police.

You should complain to the council OP - he won't get fired, but he should get a talking to.

Widowodiw · 19/05/2020 09:34

I can’t get wound up about this, in our house swearing isn’t the worst thing in the world. If the kids here swearing they know
Not to repeat it.

CallmeAngelina · 19/05/2020 09:35

I'm quite a sweary person (on here, anyway) but this is NOT acceptable and I would be complaining to the council.

dogsdinnerlady · 19/05/2020 09:36

Why not get up early, get dressed and go out to speak to them yourself?

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 19/05/2020 09:38

Just made me realise - it's a delight in lockdown not having bottles collected from the pub across the road at 3am every morning by commercial waste collection.

HeyDuggeewhatchadoin · 19/05/2020 09:39

I swear a lot, even at work, but not when the public can hear. Save it for your break.

Suze1621 · 19/05/2020 09:41

I would raise it with the council. Had a similar issue with one set of workmen on next phase of a new build site adjacent to us. Asked them nicely as looking after 2 preschoolers but ignored so raised with the site manager who sorted it.

bellabasset · 19/05/2020 10:03

I suspect this man has become so accustomed to swearing it has become his everyday language and he probably has no idea how offensive it sounds.

He is in a public facing role so yes it should be mentioned to the council. It may be, certainly where I live, that the refuse collection service has been contracted out so the bin men aren't employed directly by the council.

BubblyBarbara · 19/05/2020 10:07

No that’s how those sort of people talk, you are being a bit precious and classist

GeorgiaLove · 19/05/2020 10:13

EveryDayIsADuvetDay

Just made me realise - it's a delight in lockdown not having bottles collected from the pub across the road at 3am every morning by commercial waste collection.

I'd definitely complain about that. The cunts.

Orphlids · 19/05/2020 10:15

Just because he’s doing a rather unpleasant and hard job, doesn’t mean he should be using language which, to some, is undeniably offensive. I wouldn’t expect to hear a waiter, police officer, shop assistant or doctor’s receptionist use language like this while they’re on duty. Some sort of inverse snobbery makes it somehow acceptable because he’s a bin man? Is he incapable of understanding that that language is not to be used while at work? I would contact the council and explain, but would stop short of an official complaint. It should be easily dealt with via a quiet word.

biglouis · 19/05/2020 10:15

I worked for a council in a managerial role for some years. You cant just dismiss anyone for one offence unless it is some kind of gross misconduct (stealing, fighting etc|). The council has to follow procedures. So the chances are if this is brought to the attention of a manager as a first offence the man will get an "informal" warning. If it isnt a first offence it could then be a written warning and a period of observation in which he would be expected to improve his behaviour. Only then would the possibility of dismissal arise. So you should not worry about getting someone fired. They are responsible for their own actions.

I would settle for a quick email to the council or a report on their website, with information that would enable them to identify the person in question. I would NOT film them. Dont do anything that will enable you as an individual to be identified. Chances are you are not the only one to be offended or have complained.

ElectricTonight · 19/05/2020 10:15

It's not a big deal OP, report to the council but I really doubt they'd even have a word, probably laugh at you when you get off the phone.

"Good afternoon, id just like to make a complaint that the bin man said Cunt"

StatementKnickers · 19/05/2020 10:15

@BubblyBarbara what do you mean by "those sort of people"?

WorraLiberty · 19/05/2020 10:16

The fact he is shouting it sounds like attention seeking to me. In fact no one should be shouting at 6.30am full stop. He's an arsehole.

He many well be an arsehole but have you heard how loud those lorries are? They all have to shout in order to hear each other.

OP if you're going to complain, just email the council and they'll send a generic email to managers, asking them to tell all refuse collectors to keep the language down.

fascinated · 19/05/2020 10:16

@BubblyBarbara you’re the one who is being classist! The irony!

fascinated · 19/05/2020 10:17

Definitely complain about offensive language at excessive volumes.

WorraLiberty · 19/05/2020 10:19

biglouis I'd be surprised if the council singled this person out. In my experience without solid proof, it'll just be a general warning to all refuse collectors about 'representing the council'.

Luaa · 19/05/2020 10:22

I would absolutely complain to the council. I wouldn't want my children hearing that. I couldn't shout swear words at work, I'd quite rightly be pulled aside by my boss and warned not to do it again.

PhoneLock · 19/05/2020 10:22

you’re the one who is being classist! The irony!

I'm guessing that it was intentional.

BubblyBarbara · 19/05/2020 10:23

Bin men are rough and ready “lad” types, that is how they talk. Do you want fussy middle class types collecting the bins? No. I salute our bin collectors they are fantastic and can swear all they like for all I care