Feeling rubbish because I am a cleaner

[LAURAMINIMAQ88]

So...I am a young, educated woman and this year was very hard for our family so I had to take on a cleaning position which I didn't mind doing at first but now I feel absolutely rubbish because my friends and family make unpleasant comments about my new job.
I wouldn't mind ever as long as I am bringing a salary and paying my bills.
People where I work also look down on cleaners ( I clean offices) not all of them but I do get unpleasant looks..
The only support that I am getting is from my husband.
My husband works in airline industry and had been able to keep his hours through this horrible year however I have lost my contract 2 months ago so took on this job.

I dont know what I am looking for here, probably just a bit of support and to tell me that my job is also valued.

My parents in law said that I am too young to be a cleaner and it broke into pieces

It is a good honourable job OP. It pays bills. I would do it with no doubt. I actually have done hotels to top up my income when I had an agency job between permanent ones. Nothing bad about it.

If you are doing this job because it suits you with hours and childcare or place, no issues.
If it was the first thing you found, are you still looking around? You may find something on the field you were before. But do it only because it is good for you and your family, no because what other people say.

Well done to you. I have no idea why people look down on cleaners it's an essential job. Also bloody hard work.
You should be proud. I commend you for going out if your comfort zone to support your family.

Cleaning well in a short space of time is a real skill. I'm in awe of my cleaner who can get my house to sparkle in less than half the time it would take me to do. It takes energy and stamina that I just don't have. Feel proud of yourself

First thing I was told when I started teaching was befriend the cleaners, caretakers and office staff. Without them the school falls apart! You are supporting your family through a difficult time and doing what needs to be done. Hold your head high.

This exact things happened to me a few years ago. I had a high paying, extremely cool job title with the MoD which I was then made redundant. I had to take up cleaning. Let me tell you, it was only for 6 months but I learnt more about people in those 6 months than any other job I’ve had before. I loved it, I’d go back to it in a heartbeat! At the time I felt the same, felt no value to my life as if I was an inconvenience but looking back I was providing people with company, a service and it was good exercise for me too! :)

I'm a cleaner, its so nice to see all these lovely thoughts about cleaners. I do have times when I feel like a lesser person because of my job. That being said, I know all my clients value me. Ive built my business up and have a good reputation. Thanks for the boost

I have nothing but respect for cleaners and particularly people you like you OP who do whatever it takes to put food on the table. If I loss my job tomorrow I'd do exactly the same as what you have done. There is zero shame in being a cleaner. Please don't let anyone make you feel this way. Without cleaning staff most places fall apart.

You are doing honest, hard work!
Take pride in that!
I had a cleaner once upon a time and miss her personally and the great work she did! Alas finances won't allow it for the time being!
But also try to remember that you are probably in the top 5 essentials that people dream of being able to have when they have a windfall eg. Holiday, Nice new house, new car, get a cleaner, someone to do the ironing😊
Your are pure gold girl- and on pretty much everybody's wish list!

Ah OP, my mom was a cleaner and barmaid. She had several jobs, juggling, rushing about.

She helped keep a roof above our heads and I really admire her for that. A couple of times I cleaned with her and I have fond memories. Not once did I look down on this and I think those who do, should take a good look in the mirror first.

Oh and my nan was a cleaner too, in a pub. Right into her 70s. A bloody hard worker and salt of the earth!

Cleaning is one of those jobs that I hugely respect and I have always treated these people with respect. I had a cleaner that came before covid (she's moved cities) every week and I used to prepare her tea and lunch and have a chat with her and helped her out when her husband was out of job, it only cost me a phone call to a couple of friends who needed a electrician. I value their labour and hugely appreciate it and they are true grafters. Huge huge respect and I think you should feel proud of yourself for adding valuable input in your household during uncertain times. Well done to you 👏👏

I value and respect my cleaner very much. I also respect you. You lost your job but rather than whinging any whining you got another job to pay your own way. When things look up you might find something else, but be in no doubt cleaners make others lives easier.

I desperately want a cleaner and am in ongoing negotiation with DP about whether we can afford to hire someone.

That aside, our office cleaners (in the days we were in the office 😭) were absolutely wonderful, really lovely, and very much appreciated by everyone. I really hope they’ve been given alternate contracts by their agency (and also that they come back to our office when we’re allowed!) Not necessarily needing a high level of education doesn’t mean the work is unskilled (or unneeded!) and I wouldn’t look down on any of my friends if they were cleaners, whether as a permanent role or temporary. A job is a job!

@hibbledibble

Doing any job well is something to be proud of, as long as it is a legal and ethical job. It's a tough time right now and lots of people have no work at all. It's nothing to be ashamed of.

absolutely this. It isnt what you do, it is how you do it. If you're a high flying lawyer but do a poor job you shouldn't be proud of that. If you're a cleaner and work hard getting great results, you should be prouder than that hypothetical lawyer.

And maybe use this as a chance to see people for who they really are reassessing how much value you should place on their friendships. I am in a very professional, well paid job. I have friends who are on benefits. I have friends who work in jobs similar to yours. I would never, ever look down on them for hustling like any hard worker would do. When the first lockdown hit and I was worrying about whether I'd maintain enough work (luckily I did) I looked at jobs in shops and cleaning etc. I would absolutely have taken them to make money for my family if I was lucky enough to get the roles had I needed to apply

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a cleaner!
Without you grafting away, everyone would be knee deep in rubbish. Just remind those who look down their snotty nose at you of that.
Everyone is a small cog in a big wheel, from the CEO to the cleaner.
Keep your head up and never think that you're lesser than anyone else, because you're not

Cleaners are right up there with health workers at the moment for me. Keeping all communal spaces clean helps to reduce the spread of Covid.
Your family are being rude.

I'll also add that some cleaners who I've met have been very intelligent and switched on, even the ones without a qualification to their name.
I've known some who do the job, despite any qualifications or experience in other roles because it fits in with their young families and suits their needs.
Others like yourself who have simply fallen on hard times.
Never be ashamed of doing honest legitimate work, whatever that work is.