To be concerned about cleaner not socially distancing

[Cleanerdilemma]

We have weekly cleaners who started back at the start of September. The main cleaner usually comes with two helpers. They are nice ladies and do a decent job so all is usually good.

My dilemma is that the main cleaner and one other are regularly posting photos on Facebook of them hugging people and not socially distancing generally.

I am clinically vulnerable (not extremely vulnerable so wasn’t shielding) but am being very careful about all the measures. We live in an area that is not in local lockdown but has significantly rising cases, most local schools have cases.

She is generally a lovely lady, has worked here for 4/5 years and is trustworthy. When we have discussed social distancing generally she always nods along and appears to agree but I know she is not actually doing so (I know the Facebook posts are not old photos).

I am wary of saying anything as on the one occasion I have challenged her on something before years ago (directly to do with cleaning in my house that I had concrete proof of) she actually flatly denied it. I suspect she would flat out deny breaking any rules.

Ok, so I am concerned that she is putting herself but to be honest mostly my and other households at increased risk by her actions. However of course it’s none of my business what she does in her own time! There is no way I can tell her what to do, nor do I want to do it would be a case of me cancelling her and doing without I think. But she is trustworthy and decent generally so it’s a dilemma.

So AIBU to be concerned about extra risk to my house bearing in mind the rising cases and me being clinically vulnerable?

YABU - the risk is minuscule and you should just continue as normal.

YANBU - there is added risk and you should avoid that.

If you vote YANBU please can you tell me what you would do?!

I would say something. Then it's her choice to continue cleaning or not. It's hard when you've been strict yourself

As long s she is not hugging you and is keeping her distance I don't think there should be an issue. By allowing someone into your home there is always going to be an element of risk.

You could do the cleaning yourself?

Multiple cleaners? Is your home a chateau?

Get her to wear ppe

No you cannot say anything to her about her facebook photos or what she does in her spare time. If you want to minimise your risk, then you need do your own cleaning, you will never know what a cleaner does in their spare time.

Yes, you're right to be concerned. You can't control what anyone else does with regard to social distancing so, given that, you can't control what viruses come in to your house on other people.

Are you breathing down their necks when they're cleaning, OP? Why not just keep away and let them get on with it?

If they only clean well if you're directing them then they're not good cleaners and I would change them.

There isn't an easy solution as she's bound to say she's very careful re. social distancing. It depends how much you need a cleaner, I'm being very cautious and if it were me, I would want to avoid the risk.

You could say " Because cases are escalating, I shall provide masks and disposable gloves and plastic apron, and want you to put them on as soon as you come into my home and bin them as you leave.. I'm asking all my helpers to do this."

Then you both have a choice.

No I don’t have a chateau sadly. A standard house which instead of one person coming for three hours, three people come for one hour!

Of course I can do my own cleaning. I generally choose not to. I prefer to earn money doing something I am good at and pay other people to do something they are good at.

I tend to say hello then go to a separate room which they don’t clean. They don’t wear ppe and I worry about them either being infected and breathing over/ touching surfaces or bringing it in from another house.

I am just interested to see if other people would be concerned about extra risk to themselves of this.

@2bazookas

You could say " Because cases are escalating, I shall provide masks and disposable gloves and plastic apron, and want you to put them on as soon as you come into my home and bin them as you leave.. I'm asking all my helpers to do this."

Then you both have a choice.</div></div>

Apart from the ‘all my helpers’ because sadly I don’t have any others, I like this as a possible way forward.

I have disposable gloves and masks that I could provide.

Also, by having 3 cleaners you are multiplying the risk of getting an infection from someone coming into your house by a vast number. Not just 3 x.

@Chicchicchicchiclana

Also, by having 3 cleaners you are multiplying the risk of getting an infection from someone coming into your house by a vast number. Not just 3 x.

Good point

Do you think that makes a big difference, having three?

Two of the cleaners live together. The third shares a car with them so I assume will have what they have? I had presumed that they come as a joint risk as they are all so interlinked anyway?

Honestly if you are that worried about it and classed as clinically vulnerable then just stop using cleaners for now!

I would request they wash their hands thoroughly on arrival and wear a mask to limit the risks. Also theoretically anything they touch should get cleaned.

However ultimately, if they are infectious the chances are at some point they will fiddle with the mask or have missed a bit of their hands etc so you are increasing the risks of catching something. If this is a serious issue for you, then you need to think about stopping having any cleaner come in.

We haven't had our cleaners back. Sadly that's the safest option.

I would give notice, not worth the risk IMO.

Cleaner here... They are being very irresponsible... I am currently doing 1 job per day. Hand washing regularly as advised for cleaners.. . Clean clothes then showered and changed at home.
I am hugging my own dc only.
Can you ask for 1 cleaner for the 3 hours and point out the hand wash you have and can she please use it regularly..

Of course having 3 makes a big difference. Have you heard of the R number?

Thank you all.

It is interesting to hear from @Sunnydaysstillhere from the other side of this. I just feel bad as obviously if I give notice I will be taking away income from them. To put it bluntly I would also need to do my own cleaning, which I hate! But I am worried about it.

Interesting also that the comments are largely saying you would be worried too but the voting says IABU.

It’s obviously not clear cut

@Chicchicchicchiclana

Of course having 3 makes a big difference. Have you heard of the R number?

Yes I’ve heard of the r number! But I would assume that if one of them has it then all three would anyway as they mix so closely. So my risk from one or three of them would be similar?

Or is that being really thick?? (I am perfectly intelligent but may have to relook at that!!)

I quite like the fact that three of them means they are in and out of the house quickly.

Why are you spying on them on Facebook?