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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask cleaner if they've been vaccinated?

204 replies

daisiesandpeonies · 22/09/2021 12:44

I am keen to have a cleaner again, my pre-pandemic cleaner is refusing to have the covid vaccine (I know this because we are friends on Facebook and she's constantly posting conspiracy theories.) I felt it would be more respectful to just discreetly get a new cleaner than tell her I'll only ask her back if she gets vaccinated. However how do I tell an agency that I'd only like a vaccinated cleaner? Are they even allowed to ask, so should I?

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 22/09/2021 14:21

Pressed post by accident

You won’t know which vaccinated people could still be infectious so you’d need to distance/ventilate/mask/leave the house anyway so what difference practically will it make?

Cleaning isn’t a close contact service.

hardboiledeggs · 22/09/2021 14:23

If you are vaccinated then it shouldn't really matter but it's your home, do what make you feel comfortable. You CAN still catch covid from someone that has been vaccinated, it's just LESS likely. (I'm not anti vax btw just saying).

YouMeandtheSpew · 22/09/2021 14:25

It’s difficult to ask. I was in this position and my cleaner voluntarily told me that she was vaccinated (I didn’t ask). If she hadn’t shared that information I don’t think I would have asked but I probably would have terminated the contract with the agency and done my own cleaning for a while.

itsgrand · 22/09/2021 14:26

[quote FWBNC]@daisiesandpeonies

YANBU to want to reduce the risk to your vulnerable family member. Advertising for a clear who is fully vaccinated is fine, & of course it's safer (not safe, but safer).

I see you've decided not to bother, it's the safest approach, but if you do find you need some help (and none if the snarky twats know your situation) then don't hesitate to advertise for one who is fully vaccinated.[/quote]
Be very careful with this advice. If you place an advertisement and specify the worker needs to be vaccinated you may find yourself in tricky waters legally. There is no legal mandate for cleaners to be vaccinated, there is no legal mandate for cleaners to declare their vaccine history. An employer specifying & asking for such information thus could potentially find themselves having legal problems.

HalzTangz · 22/09/2021 14:26

@Peaplant20

Whoaa sorry you’re getting such a hard time on this thread OP. It’s completely reasonable to ask and anyone I know would think the same. Lots of people saying none of your business - they don’t have to tell you no one is forcing them. But it’s perfectly reasonable to ask. Also not sure why people are saying why does it matter if you’re double jabbed when everyone knows perfectly well that you can still get it and pass it on when you’re double jabbed so they’re just being childish saying that imo.
It isn't reasonable to ask at all just a it isn't reasonable to ask any employee and personal or medical questions
QueenoftheKarens · 22/09/2021 14:27

Are you going to ask if they are vaccinated against mumps and measles etc? Hmm
It's none of your business.

YouMeandtheSpew · 22/09/2021 14:28

I don’t think getting a cleaner through an agency makes you their employer.

thewhatsit · 22/09/2021 14:31

@PurpleDaisies

Pressed post by accident

You won’t know which vaccinated people could still be infectious so you’d need to distance/ventilate/mask/leave the house anyway so what difference practically will it make?

Cleaning isn’t a close contact service.

Yes. I personally wouldn’t ask a hairdresser or similar if they’d been vaccinated (and anyway, they can just lie) but I can kind of see why you would… a cleaner though? Unless you’re standing there washing and drying the dishes together how are they more risky to you than anyone you might pass by briefly in a shop or the school corridor or on the bus…?
Boombadoom · 22/09/2021 14:34

Really fucks me off that people’s medical history is no longer private.

gogohm · 22/09/2021 14:38

The agency I booked through said all their cleaners are vaccinated as a condition of employment for our piece of mind. Just be honest with the agency. You are getting some stick here but I personally don't fancy 10 days stuck at home so would rather not get even a mild bout of covid

MrsJulianFawcett · 22/09/2021 14:39

Of course you can ask for a vaccinated cleaner, and you are free to disregard some of the more vicious, less unconsidered responses, I think you've been lynched unfortunately. Regardless of others' opinions, if you feel more comfortable with a vaccinated cleaner that is entirely your prerogative.

LookAtMoiPloise · 22/09/2021 14:41

@MrsJulianFawcett

Of course you can ask for a vaccinated cleaner, and you are free to disregard some of the more vicious, less unconsidered responses, I think you've been lynched unfortunately. Regardless of others' opinions, if you feel more comfortable with a vaccinated cleaner that is entirely your prerogative.
Vicious Grin
BareGrylls · 22/09/2021 14:46

I’m double vaccinated and I’ve never been so unwell in my life as I was last week with covid. My husband was also very unwell and worryingly unwell for 24 hours, again double vaccinated.
This is what is meant by " mild illness". You were ill for a week and him for a day. You weren't in hospital. I have also had covid, was hospitalised but not ventilated. I credit the vaccine for saving my life.

We all know the vaccine reduces your chance of getting it and reduces the symptoms. Therefore it's a reasonable precaution to take to ensure a house visitor is vaccinated. Plus I would wonder whether an unvaccinated person was as careful with covid. They may be some covid denier, and might not test themselves or their family.
You are not asking for medical history you are asking whether they have had a vaccine that 80 million others have had. I doubt a vaccine refuser would even apply if it's in the advert.

The best way to get a cleaner anyway is by recommendation.

itsgrand · 22/09/2021 14:47

@MrsJulianFawcett

Of course you can ask for a vaccinated cleaner, and you are free to disregard some of the more vicious, less unconsidered responses, I think you've been lynched unfortunately. Regardless of others' opinions, if you feel more comfortable with a vaccinated cleaner that is entirely your prerogative.
I actually consider it quite vicious to only want to employ vaccinated people. And to do so is a less considered response and total lack of understanding of the virus & the vaccine.
Hadjab · 22/09/2021 14:48

@user64325

You are not being at all unreasonable. I hazard a guess that someone has posted a link to this in an anti vaxxer group which is why you are getting such a hard time. Someone who is pro vax will have zero issue showing you proof of vaccination.

It isn't at all like asking someone if they have the TB vaccine since one is rare, and one is extremely likely 🙄.

TB is actually on the increase

www.nicswell.co.uk/health-news/tb-rises-in-uk-and-london

Dfhugdhvdnjrs · 22/09/2021 14:49

Civil liberties have never been absolute. This is no different, particularly when it had real impact on others and society. It is a matter of time before it will be a requirement. This is the reality of the interconnected society we live in. When it is neutral to the individual, and harmful if it not done, it is clear where this is going to end. We have safe, proven vaccines that are preventing mass fatalities and allowing our society and economy to continue.

Madhairday · 22/09/2021 14:51

I don't think you're being unreasonable OP, as you're trying to protect a vulnerable family member - and I don't really get all the nastiness (clean your own shit) etc. The misinformation is also a problem, so many categorically stating that it makes no difference, when the studies are out there to see - you are 60% + less likely to actually catch covd if vaccinated, therefore so much less likely to pass it on. Of course it makes a difference.

I'm CEV and thankfully my cleaners told me they had got the vaccines as soon as they could - they clean for a lot of vulnerable people and care about them. Ditto my hairdresser. I'm so thankful for them. But if they hadn't, I'd feel I would have to ask, as I am in when they clean in general due to being housebound sometimes, and my consultant has told me to keep low level shielding measures. So all of you saying we have no right to ask others - what do you say to disabled, CEV people who really need cleaners? That they should just suck it up because they can still get covid from vaccinated people (conveniently neglecting to mention that the chance is much, much lower?)

Cheeseplantboots · 22/09/2021 14:51

It’s none of your business. If someone not being vaccinated worries you the you’re best doing your own cleaning.

emuloc · 22/09/2021 14:55

I do not think it is okay to enquire if someone has had the covid vaccine. Op you have no right to know. There are other alternatives, as have been pointed out.

itsgrand · 22/09/2021 14:56

@BareGrylls

I’m double vaccinated and I’ve never been so unwell in my life as I was last week with covid. My husband was also very unwell and worryingly unwell for 24 hours, again double vaccinated. This is what is meant by " mild illness". You were ill for a week and him for a day. You weren't in hospital. I have also had covid, was hospitalised but not ventilated. I credit the vaccine for saving my life.

We all know the vaccine reduces your chance of getting it and reduces the symptoms. Therefore it's a reasonable precaution to take to ensure a house visitor is vaccinated. Plus I would wonder whether an unvaccinated person was as careful with covid. They may be some covid denier, and might not test themselves or their family.
You are not asking for medical history you are asking whether they have had a vaccine that 80 million others have had. I doubt a vaccine refuser would even apply if it's in the advert.

The best way to get a cleaner anyway is by recommendation.

You have perfectly demonstrated why I believe that someone's vaccine information is not an employment requirement or to be generally disclosed. You are making assumptions about someone who isn't vaccinated. You are assuming that they are not as careful with Covid, that they are a denier and that they would not test themselves or their family. All based on their vaccine history. Vaccine history is medical history. You have no entitlement to know peoples vaccine medical information.
Wannakisstheteacher · 22/09/2021 14:59

Would you ask for a cleaner to prove they didn’t have HIV? Or even specifically ask for only cleaners who don’t have HIV?

It is going too far now when people feel they have the right to ask intrusive medical questions.

itsgrand · 22/09/2021 15:00

@user64325

You are not being at all unreasonable. I hazard a guess that someone has posted a link to this in an anti vaxxer group which is why you are getting such a hard time. Someone who is pro vax will have zero issue showing you proof of vaccination.

I am pro vax.
I won't be showing anyone anything from my medical history unless legally mandated to do so.

itsgrand · 22/09/2021 15:00

@Wannakisstheteacher

Would you ask for a cleaner to prove they didn’t have HIV? Or even specifically ask for only cleaners who don’t have HIV?

It is going too far now when people feel they have the right to ask intrusive medical questions.

exactly!!!!! Thank you @Wannakisstheteacher
emuloc · 22/09/2021 15:01

@Madhairday

I don't think you're being unreasonable OP, as you're trying to protect a vulnerable family member - and I don't really get all the nastiness (clean your own shit) etc. The misinformation is also a problem, so many categorically stating that it makes no difference, when the studies are out there to see - you are 60% + less likely to actually catch covd if vaccinated, therefore so much less likely to pass it on. Of course it makes a difference.

I'm CEV and thankfully my cleaners told me they had got the vaccines as soon as they could - they clean for a lot of vulnerable people and care about them. Ditto my hairdresser. I'm so thankful for them. But if they hadn't, I'd feel I would have to ask, as I am in when they clean in general due to being housebound sometimes, and my consultant has told me to keep low level shielding measures. So all of you saying we have no right to ask others - what do you say to disabled, CEV people who really need cleaners? That they should just suck it up because they can still get covid from vaccinated people (conveniently neglecting to mention that the chance is much, much lower?)

Yes I would still say no one has the right to ask someone if they have been vaccinated.
emuloc · 22/09/2021 15:03

@Wannakisstheteacher

Would you ask for a cleaner to prove they didn’t have HIV? Or even specifically ask for only cleaners who don’t have HIV?

It is going too far now when people feel they have the right to ask intrusive medical questions.

This.
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