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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you cancel this client?

91 replies

Tootsey11 · 04/10/2020 10:35

Client J, I clean for once a fortnight for 2 hours. Been there about 1.5 years. Client is always in, along with one other occupant. Their house is very clean, in fact I really don't have much to do at all, but I have been told to clean already clean areas, so just follow instructions.

Client can be quite moody and difficult. On one occasion, I was cleaning a display cabinet down, taking things off shelves, dusting etc. Client walked into room, sat down at table with their back to me. As I was working they said without turning round "Don't do that". I put everything back on and went into a different room to work.

Client knows of my health issues as we sometimes would chat for a few minutes at the end of a clean. I also know of some of theirs. Both occupants made it clear a while back that they did not care if they caught CV, they weren't bothered.

A few weeks back, I went to clean as normal. Went in and called 'morning'. From their reply I could tell that they did not sound well. I asked were they sick? They replied yes, I've got this terrible cough, they could barely speak for being short of breath, said they were exhausted and felt terrible. But it's not 'the covid'. I asked did they get tested? No. They said I could stay in one room and clean it or leave. They then said 'I can't really be bothered looking at you today'.

I told them I felt it was best I left and please let me know if someone in the house is not well before I drive round.

I was really annoyed after I left that they had that little thought for my health, knowing my issues and wasted my time driving round, a 20 mile trip for nothing.

So, would AIBU to cancel. I'm not short of work, in fact there isn't enough hours in the day ATM to fit everyone in.

OP posts:
UseOfWeapons · 04/10/2020 12:04

Glad you’ve cancelled, good for you!
You deserve respect when you’re working, and someone who will think about your health and safety, not treat you like shit, and speak to you in such a rude way.
My mum was a cleaner, and I would have been raging if she’d been spoken to like this.
I’d love to have a reliable cleaner like you, you’re worth your weight in gold!
Onward and upward!🙂

Giraffey1 · 04/10/2020 12:05

Sorry, missed your update, you have done the right thing. And glad you found a new client to fill the space!

BloggersBlog · 04/10/2020 12:06

Your question should be - why would I keep this rude, ignorant, uncaring client?

JaffaCake70 · 04/10/2020 12:09

I'd be tempted to post dog poo through their letterbox!

SunshineCake · 04/10/2020 12:10

@DDiva

If you dont need the work I'd cancel.
Even if you do need the work, cancel. You can fill the slot with someone who treats you with basic courtesy.

You need to self isolate to I think if you went in their home.

Original poster
Tootsey11 · 04/10/2020 12:11

I just said that it wasn't workable for me anymore. I could have been brutally honest, but it wasn't worth it.

Although I do think it would do no harm to tell this person that they were horribly rude. If no one ever stands up to someone like this, then they get away with it.

OP posts:
MilerVino · 04/10/2020 12:32

Although I do think it would do no harm to tell this person that they were horribly rude. If no one ever stands up to someone like this, then they get away with it.

Face to face, maybe. I would not text, email or write anything inflammatory. So many things get quoted out of context and can make you look bad, it just isn't worth it.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 04/10/2020 12:37

Personally I'd cancel them for bad manners alone if I didn't need the work.

From your posts you have plenty of clients, and even if not, 1 1/2 hrs every other week isn't going to make a lot of difference. Get rid of them

SchadenfreudePersonified · 04/10/2020 12:38

Oh- sorry - you have.

Pyewhacket · 04/10/2020 12:39

First and foremost you MUST safeguard your own health so if you ever go in a room and you suspect anybody there has anything like Covid, and this person sounds if they most certianly did have Covid , then you must leave immediately without touching anything. Regarding this house. The Covid virus can remain active on certain surfaces for up to 72 hours and if somebody is contantly coughing then they will keep re-infecting the surfaces in that room/house. Personally, I wouldn't go back there but I understand the financial implications. Ultimately it's your decision but this isn't flu . Be careful.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 04/10/2020 12:41

I stupidly didn't even speak when they said they couldn't be bothered looking at me. I just stood there, dumfounded

Comments like that come out of the blue and as you say, dumbfound you. You just can't believe what you hear and it leaves you speechless.

burnoutbabe · 04/10/2020 12:42

definately cancel them. I feel bad at present when i have to stay in when the cleaner is here (as can't go to the local library and obviously i am not "out at work/Uni" any time either.

So i lurk in the bedroom for the time, keeping out of her way.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 04/10/2020 12:43

it was letting me walk in while they were clearly unwell, that pissed me off. Why would anyone do that to someone else.

They didn't want to have to pay you because they cancelled at short notice. They'd rather you went there and worked and caught whatever nasty they were incubating.

Asterion · 04/10/2020 12:44

They sound awful Angry

Cancel the hell out of them!

Butchyrestingface · 04/10/2020 12:46

They then said 'I can't really be bothered looking at you today'.

Why is this even a question?? I'm freelance, so I understand the uncertainty (especially now) about sacking people off even business is booming because you never know what's around the corner.

But they've exposed you to illness and then can't even keep a civil tongue in their heads when you're there. GET RID.

Saucery · 04/10/2020 12:48

I’m sure they already know they are rude and ignorant, so I wouldn’t bother telling them.
Good for you, replacing them with someone else.

MzHz · 04/10/2020 12:50

I’m so glad you have sacked them.

I’d have left it until 5 mins before you were due to turn up at theirs tho, to royally fuck them over.

What thoroughly awful people

They actually sound like my arsehole neighbours.

EchoCardioGran · 04/10/2020 12:54

Well done for getting rid. They sound horrible, please don't put up with insults when you are doing an honest job. What you do is important.

IncandescentSilver · 04/10/2020 12:57

They then said 'I can't really be bothered looking at you today'.

Wow. Just wow. Who do they think they are? Royalty?

Aside from everything else.

Don't go back.

I'd send them a text saying that "I am no longer working for you due to your appalling manners".

daisychain01 · 04/10/2020 13:02

@Tootsey11

I suppose in my head I'm always nervous about sacking someone with the way things are at the moment. A job is a job, and there is only me earning in my house, just me and teenager at home. I've turned down about 10 new houses in the last few weeks, then I wonder why I am keeping a client like this one.
If it's only 2 hours once a fortnight that'll be about a tenner a week.

Ask yourself if a tenner a week is worth you being micromanaged, spoken to like dirt under their foot, and potentially catching something nasty off them (if they are so blasé about the CV infection, that's a good indicator).

Get rid, you can do much much better for yourself.

daisychain01 · 04/10/2020 13:04

There's no need for you to feel obliged to give a reason why you've chosen to take your services elsewhere. It's your right to withdraw your labour, end of.

In fact I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of knowing why.

willloman · 04/10/2020 13:04

They sound wretched, even without the Covid. Ditch them.

SuitedandBooted · 04/10/2020 13:07

I can’t be bothered to look at you Shock

And they can't be bothered to pick up the phone and save you a 20 mile trip either! Disgusting behavior from them. So entitled, rude and utterly without concern for you. Well done for getting rid of them.

Girlzroolz · 04/10/2020 13:08

Hopefully they text back to question you, or persuade you to stay on.

Offering you the satisfying opportunity to answer ‘I can’t really be bothered texting you today...or ever again.’

whatsyournamenow · 04/10/2020 13:09

Bloody well done, to have you round then they're potentially infected by CV is disgraceful. To say "I can't be bothered to look at you" is vile.

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