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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

bruce43mydog · 09/02/2021 14:55

Accidents happen she probably feels bad about it as it is without making her feel even worse.

Obviously you can be upset at the sentimental value. But it's not like she broke it on purpose.

potatoesofthenight · 09/02/2021 14:56

I like the sound of a Gin ignition button.

user1493413286 · 09/02/2021 14:57

Do you want her to buy a replacement? My cleaner broke our blind and paid to replace it but I wouldn’t bother if it wasn’t something I was going to replace

WorraLiberty · 09/02/2021 14:58

@Malbals

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

A tiny part of you must be considering complaining/asking for compensation for you to ask the question?

The thought wouldn't occur to me.

Wingedharpy · 09/02/2021 15:03

Where can I buy a Gin ignition button and are they expensive?

Gwenhines · 09/02/2021 15:06

My cleaner broke something a few weeks ago. I helped her sweep it up, said it was ok, and we carried on with our days. She was upset, I think making sure she was ok emotionally, and also physically (not cut) was worth more than stuff.

C152 · 09/02/2021 15:06

@Meowtha

*hob ignition button!

How disappointing - I was going to say that a gin ignition button sounds bloody marvellous!

rattusrattus20 · 09/02/2021 15:17

I'm astounded that the idea of "compensation" would even cross OP's mind.

If you were a shelf stacker in a supermarket & say dropped a case of glass bottles, which then broke, would you expect the supermarket to dock your wages until the cost had been covered? Seriously.

littlepattilou · 09/02/2021 15:18

@Malbals

Yep she should have insurance and should claim on it. Don't just 'let it go' Why should she be allowed to get away with smashing something? What if it was something worth 3 or 4 hundred £££?

AStudyinPink · 09/02/2021 15:18

Value?

littlepattilou · 09/02/2021 15:21

@rattusrattus20

I'm astounded that the idea of "compensation" would even cross OP's mind.

If you were a shelf stacker in a supermarket & say dropped a case of glass bottles, which then broke, would you expect the supermarket to dock your wages until the cost had been covered? Seriously.

In some small shops, that would probably happen yes. They do it if a customer breaks something, so may do it if a staff member does.

I'm ASTOUNDED that anyone thinks that a cleaner (hired privately by a homeowner,) should be allowed to smash something with no consequence.

AStudyinPink · 09/02/2021 15:22

If you were a shelf stacker in a supermarket & say dropped a case of glass bottles, which then broke, would you expect the supermarket to dock your wages until the cost had been covered? Seriously.

But the OP isn’t an employer, she’s a client. It’s not the same relationship.

Divebar2021 · 09/02/2021 15:22

I seriously would not be expecting compensation. My cleaner broke something once when I was out and she left it on the side with some money. I gave it back to her the following week. She was a great cleaner - I was gutted when she left.

AStudyinPink · 09/02/2021 15:23

And I didn’t see that the OP has no idea of the value of the ornament. Sounds like it doesn’t mean that much to her...

custardbear · 09/02/2021 15:25

My cleaner broke a Wedgwood clock, it was sentimental too, worth a fair bit. I told her not to worry but she didn't charge
Me for that day, she insisted as she felt so bad, I would have let it go to be honest, accidents happen

Original poster

Malbals · 09/02/2021 15:25

It’s because I mentioned it to a friend who I was chatting with afterwards on the phone and they were shocked that I would just leave it! And shocked that she didn’t offer to replace it.
So I did wonder , if my reaction to say nothing was abnormal and others may not be as laid back that’s all , I’m actually fine about it
Thanks

OP posts:

GreenWheat · 09/02/2021 15:28

Unless it's a Ming vase it's unlikely to be worth faffing about with insurance claims. Accidents happen and it is part of the risk of having someone cleaning for you.

Lunariagal · 09/02/2021 15:34

My friend is a cleaner who broke an expensive ornament. She didn't have insurance at the time and had to pay £600 for a replacement. She now has insurance.

Whitney168 · 09/02/2021 15:46

Anyone who is saying they would say no worries to the cleaner and then claim from their own insurance needs to make very sure they don't mention to their insurance company that an employed individual was involved, as they are likely to find themselves out of pocket.

Insurance for employees is different to family members. The cleaner should have their own insurance.

unbotheredbutbewildered · 09/02/2021 16:21

If you don't know the value it's hard to ask her for compensation.

My parents cleaner smashed a Gallé vase...they just got over it. They knew she couldn't afford to pay for it and it was the sentimental value that was important to my family, not the actual value. Of course they were livid but nothing to be done.

Although my parents learnt a lesson - clean everything yourself. That way the only person to blame is yourself!

endlesssnow · 09/02/2021 16:24

I once had a cleaner break something, I told them it was fine.
They insisted on replacing it.

tashac89 · 09/02/2021 16:37

Depends on the value. One of the ladies that works for me broke a picture frame in a clients house, I paid for the replacement and that was that. If its an expensive item, it should go through the cleaners insurance.

nitsandwormsdodger · 09/02/2021 16:58

You can't ask a minimum wage person to pay
Unless she is part of a large company I would not expect a vulnerably employed person to have insurance

If you want her to be honest and not hide things let it go

It doesn't matter if it's expensive as you didn't buy it or planning on selling it

Whitney168 · 09/02/2021 17:05

@nitsandwormsdodger

You can't ask a minimum wage person to pay Unless she is part of a large company I would not expect a vulnerably employed person to have insurance

If you want her to be honest and not hide things let it go

It doesn't matter if it's expensive as you didn't buy it or planning on selling it

You clearly don't live in the South East if you think cleaners are on minimum wage ... !

Not sure on the 'vulnerably employed' either - good cleaners can more or less name their price and are fighting off work round here.

To be honest, both the above are quite belittling of cleaning as a profession, which is unusual for Mumsnet.

nicelyneurotic · 09/02/2021 17:14

Accidents happen. I'd let it go.

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