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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cleaner broke something

84 replies

Malbals · 09/02/2021 14:30

Aibu to say nothing and ignore the accident

My cleaning lady broke an ornament today it was a wedding gift from ten year’s ago from a family member I’ve no idea whether it’s expensive or not it’s obviously got sentimental value but it’s now smashed into two bits possibly it might be able to be glued back together
She apologised and carried on
How would you deal with this
Let it go
Complain
Ask for compensation

I’ve said nothing I do feel upset but accidents happen!
I’ve paid her as normal for today

OP posts:
Nousernamesleftatall · 09/02/2021 14:31

What? Let it go. It was an accident.

Suzi888 · 09/02/2021 14:33

Isn’t she insured? Confused

Whitney168 · 09/02/2021 14:33

Surely she'll have insurance for this?

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 09/02/2021 14:33

I would let it go, it was an accident she apologised.

Assuming that she doesn't do this often and is usually reliable its just an annoying mistake.

I hope you manage to glue it back together.

LoungeLizardLhama · 09/02/2021 14:34

You or she ought to have insurance for this Confused

LemonBreeland · 09/02/2021 14:34

Agree she should have insurance to cover this,

partyatthepalace · 09/02/2021 14:34

She’s a cleaner, if you want insurance against anything she breaks either check she has it before you employ her, or have your own. If there is anything you are particularly attached to, clean it yourself.

YABU even asking this.

AlwaysCheddar · 09/02/2021 14:34

Check the value - if expensive, claim through her insurance.

shouldistop · 09/02/2021 14:34

If you don't know how much it's worth then how much compensation would you ask for?

My cleaner has broken 2 things, she's insured but I just told her to leave it. Accidents happen.

KatyClaire · 09/02/2021 14:34

I wouldn’t say or do anything. Accidents happen, and if something valuable was broken you can claim for it on your home insurance. I think you’ve done the right thing.

Queenfreak · 09/02/2021 14:37

If its a result of general carelessness, then ask for a replacement. If its a genuine accident, then its just that.
My lovely mil broke a very valuable candle holder. She said sorry. That was it.

Mamagotskills · 09/02/2021 14:38

Find out if it’s valuable then ask if she has insurance, if not decide if you want to claim on your own. It was an accident

Hoppinggreen · 09/02/2021 14:41

It depends. It’s happened to me a couple of times
First time, total denial followed by lies and eventual admission but no shits given = sacked
Second time, told me straight away, apologised and explained how it happened = I said oh well never mind and forgot about it.

Okokokbear · 09/02/2021 14:41

I'm not sure on voting but I think letting it go is the right thing to do. As you say accidents happen. So Ives said yanbu because of who you phrased the question.

Original poster
Malbals · 09/02/2021 14:45

Yes thanks
that’s what I meant - i would leave it , say nothing, as I understand that accidents happen, but just wondered how others would react to this situation

OP posts:
nokidshere · 09/02/2021 14:47

My cleaner has broken something twice in the 10yrs she's been cleaning for us. Accidents happen, she apologised and offered to replace. I accepted the apology, refused the replacements, that's it.

suspiria777 · 09/02/2021 14:49

let it go of course

shouldreallynamechangemore · 09/02/2021 14:51

I would let it go. I once had cleaners who didn't clean my (crappy Ikea) picture frames. When i asked about it they said it was policy to avoid breaking stuff?!
Anyway, accidents happen and it would never occur to me that a cleaner would have insurance unless it was an agency.

SonjaMorgan · 09/02/2021 14:52

I would let it go. She should have insurance and it then could be replaced but if it is sentimental then surely glueing it would be the best option.

Sparklesocks · 09/02/2021 14:52

I’d let it go, it was an accident - she acknowledged and apologised.

I think if she’d sneakily tried to hide it or something if would be a different story and I’d be more upset, but that wasn’t the case here.

Fingers crossed you’ll be able to glue it back together.

StormzyInaDCup · 09/02/2021 14:52

Have you ever broken something whilst cleaning? Did you claim on your insurance? Accidents happen and I think unless you can actually replace the item, you're grabby to ask for the money.

Meowtha · 09/02/2021 14:53

Our cleaner broke so much stuff. Probably about 10 things in 2 years. Plant pots, glasses, plates, the shower hinge, the gin ignition button.

Most times she didn't realise/didn't tell us.

I've stopped having her now, I told her she was no longer required.

IthinkIm · 09/02/2021 14:53

I certainly wouldn't be asking for compensation.

Meowtha · 09/02/2021 14:54

*hob ignition button!

ZoeTurtle · 09/02/2021 14:55

An apology would be enough for me, unless it was a really expensive item, in which case I'd ask for insurance details.

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