To contact cleaning company about lack of distancing?

[TheVamoosh]

This is more of a "what would you do".

Our new cleaner came in today wearing her mask over her mouth only (not her nose). She did not keep 2m distance, made lots of friendly small talk and several times leaned over the children to talk to them, leaving a gap of maybe 0.5 m at times. When she was finished, she stayed for about 20 minutes after her 3 hours of cleaning and had a cup of coffee in our kitchen, using our coffee, milk and sugar (but she had her own travel cup.)

Of course I don't begrudge her a cup of coffee and I understand why she might need a break given that she didn't have her own car and may be going straight to the next job, BUT all of these factors together made me feel uncomfortable as they signal a rather cavalier attitude towards social distancing. I doubt she wore the mask properly, if at all, on the bus or in anyone elses home.

I'm not sure it matters that she touched a couple of things in the fridge and cupboard, given that she touched so many other things in our house, or that she stayed an extra 20 minutes to have her drink, but I feel that it was unnecessary to spend extra time here.

I can't really clean my own house as I have a physical disability and am looking after two young DC. DH works very long hours. It really helps my mental health to have this help normally, but all of this made me feel a bit stressed today.

She's a new cleaner as our regular recently returned to her home country.

WIBU to contact the cleaning company? I don't want to cause problems for her but I'm not sure how else I can approach it. She doesn't speak that much English but they speak her language and may be able to explain to her.

She was also telling DH (she speaks his language a little bit) that she wants to return to her home country "but they want me to get to get a vaccine which I won't be doing".

I have mild social phobia and it stresses me out having people in my home regardless of Covid. It would stress me even more of things became awkward with her. I feel like I'm in for some awkwardness either way.

Alternatively, I could buy her a reusable mask that covers the nose properly and ask her to use it when she's here?

[chancechancechance]

I think it is to be expected that someone in your house will follow the rules their company has in place at the current time.

If they are supposed to be wearing a mask, you should too, to protect them in return.

[SparkyBlue]

Did she do a good job of the cleaning ? The coffee wouldn't bother me in the least.

[LaureBerthaud]

Of course she should be able to have a coffee in her workplace

But her workplace isn't an office or shop, it's her client's home so it would be a courtesy to ask, not just help herself.

[Jessbow]

If she has been there 3 hours, another 20 mins isnt going to make very much difference.

Would probably have been helpful to keep the children out of her way, so she dint have to lean over them to do whatever she needed to do.

Did you wear a mask for the 3 hours as well to protect her from your germs?

[MrMeSeeks]

I wouldn’t begrudge her a drink either should she just ignore your children next time?

[TheVamoosh]

We did go out, we were only in the house together for a short time and I tried to be in a different room, but whenever she came by the kitchen to get something she kept approaching the children to talk to them. I was not wearing a mask because I was not expecting her to interact with me. Our previous cleaner followed all the social distancing rules.

Some of you don't seem to care about social distancing at all. Of course I wouldn't care about ant of this stuff normally, but the current situation is not normal.

[TheVamoosh]

It was my husband who went downstairs to check why she was still in the house some time after finishing and that's when she was making a drink. I'm sure you all understand that I normally wouldn't care about this but if we're trying to limit exposure to others, maybe this is not ideal?

Anyway, thanks for your responses. I do think I probably worry too much and I'm not going to do anything about it, except ask her to pull the mask over her nose next time and go out again.

[ChangeOfNameNeeded07]

I find her helping herself to a coffee when not offered very very odd! Especially, that this was her first time at your home. I am not aware of any cultures who would just do that. This is not an office environment, but someone's private home. Maybe, she was not aware that you've returned home? What's next- making herself a sandwich/frying eggs/helping herself to leftovers from your fridge?
I would fire her.

[yellowsunset]

Yabnu. People act a bit funny when it comes to cleaners.

[Westfacing]

Masks are worn as a protection to others - do you wear one to protect her?

[TheVamoosh]

Masks are worn as a protection to others - do you wear one to protect her?

No, I make sure I'm not on the same floor as she is and then I go out. And I'm not going to put a mask on a 4 year old and a baby.

[zingally]

I personally would approach her about it first (or your DH), rather than go straight over her head.
Having been on the receiving end of someone going over my head over a small issue, rather than discussing it with me first, doesn't feel very nice, and only creates bad feeling.

Her helping herself to the coffee etc, is a bit weird. But if she's been working for 3 hours, when it's kinda hot and muggy, I don't think I'd really mind. To me that's a bit of a non-issue. I personally think it would be good manners to at least offer her a hot or cold drink, particularly as 3 hours is a long time!

Your issue is really with the mask wearing and the social distancing. Try not to look for other stuff, just to internally justify your annoyance.