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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:
YouMeandtheSpew · 22/09/2021 15:03

No, I wouldn’t ask a cleaner to prove they don’t have HIV because I’ve no intention of having sex or sharing needles with my cleaner.

godmum56 · 22/09/2021 15:06

@JaneTheVirgin

What is with these responses?!

You have the right to ask, and they have the right to decline to tell you. With that, you then have the right to not hire them.

No one is being forced to get the vaccine, but those who choose not to then have to accept others who have chosen to be vaccinated may not want to employ them in their house/workplace.

Vaccination status has been asked for countless jobs before, and many vaccines mandated and no one cared in the slightest. I've lost track of how many tests and vaccines I had to be employed in the NHS. But now people have decided a VIRUS is political, it's a problem.

And yes, the vaccine does lower your chance of getting covid, which then lowers your chance of passing it on, AND lowers your chance of dying.
Stop spreading misinformation.

yup, this.
XenoBitch · 22/09/2021 15:09

YABU
House cleaning is not a close contact service. Will you even be home when they are cleaning, or in the same room?

itsgrand · 22/09/2021 15:10

@JaneTheVirgin

You have the right to ask, and they have the right to decline to tell you. With that, you then have the right to not hire them. Legally they don't have the right to ask and they don't have the right not to hire them due to vaccine status.

No one is being forced to get the vaccine, but those who choose not to then have to accept others who have chosen to be vaccinated may not want to employ them in their house/workplace. that is totally contradictory. By ousting people who arent vaccinated and not employing them that is a forced coercive vaccine.

Wannakisstheteacher · 22/09/2021 15:13

YouMeandtheSpew

No, I wouldn’t ask a cleaner to prove they don’t have HIV because I’ve no intention of having sex or sharing needles with my cleaner.

But we are not that far past a time where people wouldn’t even touch those with HIV. So we really want to go back to discriminating against people based on their private medical information?

Pizzaplanet6 · 22/09/2021 15:17

@Blossomtoes what’s so crazy about someone asking you to do a test to make sure none of you do have it? Vaccine or not.

Mojoj · 22/09/2021 15:21

It's none of your business. If you're that bothered, clean your own house.

Pikamoo · 22/09/2021 15:23

We're having some work done on the house and the contractor has been really upfront about who is vaccinated and who isn't. Those who aren't do the exterior work only, those who are can do the interior. We're holding off on most of the interior though as I've only just had my second dose and want to be fully protected. We're not in the UK though and people here are way more ok with discussing vaccine status. The government use it as a real carrot/stick as well. If you're not vaccinated you can only go in essential shops, none of the non essential ones, no dining in restaurants and no travelling out of your district. Oh also, shops and restaurants have to disclose what % of their staff are fully, partially and not vaccinated. Certain businesses are only allowed to operate when staff are fully vaccinated. Its very strict.

itsgrand · 22/09/2021 15:26

@Pikamoo

We're having some work done on the house and the contractor has been really upfront about who is vaccinated and who isn't. Those who aren't do the exterior work only, those who are can do the interior. We're holding off on most of the interior though as I've only just had my second dose and want to be fully protected. We're not in the UK though and people here are way more ok with discussing vaccine status. The government use it as a real carrot/stick as well. If you're not vaccinated you can only go in essential shops, none of the non essential ones, no dining in restaurants and no travelling out of your district. Oh also, shops and restaurants have to disclose what % of their staff are fully, partially and not vaccinated. Certain businesses are only allowed to operate when staff are fully vaccinated. Its very strict.
what country are you in? I find that totally appalling
TheGrumpyGoat · 22/09/2021 15:33

@Pikamoo

We're having some work done on the house and the contractor has been really upfront about who is vaccinated and who isn't. Those who aren't do the exterior work only, those who are can do the interior. We're holding off on most of the interior though as I've only just had my second dose and want to be fully protected. We're not in the UK though and people here are way more ok with discussing vaccine status. The government use it as a real carrot/stick as well. If you're not vaccinated you can only go in essential shops, none of the non essential ones, no dining in restaurants and no travelling out of your district. Oh also, shops and restaurants have to disclose what % of their staff are fully, partially and not vaccinated. Certain businesses are only allowed to operate when staff are fully vaccinated. Its very strict.
Urgh. I’m fully vaccinated but would hate this.
washingmachines4 · 22/09/2021 15:35

I am so disheartened by the replies you have. It is absolutely your choice who you have in your home - it is perfectly reasonable to ask if they have taken measures to make themselves less of a risk to you and your household. I am surrounded it would seem with immunocompromised people and I have been wondering this myself and called cleaning agencies only to get indignant answers from antivaxxers. Sadly the conspiracies seem to have got to most of the cleaners round my way. Sad but true. I am for now doing my own cleaning but have not given up my pursuit of someone I can bring into my household.
I would say to everyone who is against asking this - a vaccinated person is more likely to be hygiene conscious, wary of going to crowded places, a mask wearer and a regular hand gel applier. An unvaccinated person I would assume just doesn't give a shit about anyone else.
Everyone - don't forget how important trust is when bringing someone into your home. You cannot trust someone who will not look out for the basic health of others (either selfish or stupid) - eitherway it would be a no from me.

Ireolu · 22/09/2021 15:36

Spoke to mine this week, had guessed she wasn't and she confirmed she wasn't. For some families that is an issue because of immunocompromised members. For me in all I am not bothered. I am however looking to employ someone else because her cleaning has fallen off and despite several conversations things are worse and no better.

Mreggsworth · 22/09/2021 15:38

I find the comments about saying its private medical information a bit precious. Its not asking people how their last smear was or asking people to describe personal medical conditions. Its asking someone if they are taking measures to reduce the spread of an active highly contagious virus that is still taking the lives of people and disrupting life. Its perfectly valid for people to feel more secure and safe around other vaccinated people while the virus is still actively spreading.

And comparing it to HIV Hmm . Covid is spread by touching surfaces, and simply just by being in close distance of someone, and we are still in the pandemic. HIV is spread by sex and needles. Asking someone if they are HIV positive and if they've had a vaccination dont compare.

I dont think there is any harm in asking, people have a right to refuse to answer. But still doesn't mean you cant ask.

JaneTheVirgin · 22/09/2021 15:43

[quote itsgrand]@JaneTheVirgin

You have the right to ask, and they have the right to decline to tell you. With that, you then have the right to not hire them. Legally they don't have the right to ask and they don't have the right not to hire them due to vaccine status.

No one is being forced to get the vaccine, but those who choose not to then have to accept others who have chosen to be vaccinated may not want to employ them in their house/workplace. that is totally contradictory. By ousting people who arent vaccinated and not employing them that is a forced coercive vaccine.[/quote]
Employers do have the right to ask. Unless you believe the NHS is breaking the law by having an entire department to do the job of checking vaccine records and give vaccines to those who were missing any? It is a condition of my employment.

They are not being 'ousted'. While they have the freedom to choose not to get vaccinated, others have the freedom to employ those who are. Why is it only the freedom of the unvaccinated you care about? That's all I ever hear, and it's nonsense.

emuloc · 22/09/2021 15:45

@washingmachines4

I am so disheartened by the replies you have. It is absolutely your choice who you have in your home - it is perfectly reasonable to ask if they have taken measures to make themselves less of a risk to you and your household. I am surrounded it would seem with immunocompromised people and I have been wondering this myself and called cleaning agencies only to get indignant answers from antivaxxers. Sadly the conspiracies seem to have got to most of the cleaners round my way. Sad but true. I am for now doing my own cleaning but have not given up my pursuit of someone I can bring into my household. I would say to everyone who is against asking this - a vaccinated person is more likely to be hygiene conscious, wary of going to crowded places, a mask wearer and a regular hand gel applier. An unvaccinated person I would assume just doesn't give a shit about anyone else. Everyone - don't forget how important trust is when bringing someone into your home. You cannot trust someone who will not look out for the basic health of others (either selfish or stupid) - eitherway it would be a no from me.
You sound ridiculous. Your assumptions about people who may not have had the vaccine, are just that, assumptions. I would not wish to work for someone who thinks like you do.
Lavender24 · 22/09/2021 15:47

@washingmachines4 What a disgusting comment. Saying unvaccinated people are dirty? Seriously? I'd rather be around an unvaccinated person any day than someone with your attitude.

underneaththeash · 22/09/2021 15:49

Unvaccinated are more likely to catch and therefore transmit the virus. You're having someone in your house and therefore you can ask what you like.

I've told our agency we'll only accept fully vaccinated people and they've said that's fine.

Coyoacan · 22/09/2021 15:57

Surely if you are never in the same room as the cleaner, except when paying her or giving her instructions, you run no risk of getting an infection off her.

I see some people are talking about using gloves as a safety measure. Gloves touch just as many things as hands do, so are just as safe or dangerous as hands.

XenoBitch · 22/09/2021 15:57

@washingmachines4

I am so disheartened by the replies you have. It is absolutely your choice who you have in your home - it is perfectly reasonable to ask if they have taken measures to make themselves less of a risk to you and your household. I am surrounded it would seem with immunocompromised people and I have been wondering this myself and called cleaning agencies only to get indignant answers from antivaxxers. Sadly the conspiracies seem to have got to most of the cleaners round my way. Sad but true. I am for now doing my own cleaning but have not given up my pursuit of someone I can bring into my household. I would say to everyone who is against asking this - a vaccinated person is more likely to be hygiene conscious, wary of going to crowded places, a mask wearer and a regular hand gel applier. An unvaccinated person I would assume just doesn't give a shit about anyone else. Everyone - don't forget how important trust is when bringing someone into your home. You cannot trust someone who will not look out for the basic health of others (either selfish or stupid) - eitherway it would be a no from me.
An unvaccinated person I would assume just doesn't give a shit about anyone else

What a crock of shit.

Pikamoo · 22/09/2021 16:05

Malaysia. I guess they might loosen restrictions once more are fully vaccinated but for now they're trying to re-open what they can but keep the health service from collapsing. The vast majority of people in hospitals are unvaccinated so I guess they're trying to prevent unvaccinated people catching covid?

itsgrand · 22/09/2021 16:11

@washingmachines4

I would say to everyone who is against asking this - a vaccinated person is more likely to be hygiene conscious, wary of going to crowded places, a mask wearer and a regular hand gel applier. An unvaccinated person I would assume just doesn't give a shit about anyone else.
Everyone - don't forget how important trust is when bringing someone into your home. You cannot trust someone who will not look out for the basic health of others (either selfish or stupid) - eitherway it would be a no from me.

so someone who isnt vaccinated is selfish, stupid, untrustworthy, less likely to be hgiene conscious etc.
You are making a lot of assumptions. A lot. And you are proving again and again why vaccine and medical issues are generally private and why there are strict rules about disclosing such. So that people like you cannot rough shod over them with your assumptions, stereotyping and discriminating.

PurpleDaisies · 22/09/2021 16:36

I would say to everyone who is against asking this - a vaccinated person is more likely to be hygiene conscious, wary of going to crowded places, a mask wearer and a regular hand gel applier. An unvaccinated person I would assume just doesn't give a shit about anyone else.

A lot of the vaccinated people I know now think they’re invincible and unable to possibly pass anything on. Lots have stopped wearing masks, using hand gel, distancing etc.

YouMeandtheSpew · 22/09/2021 16:52

But we are not that far past a time where people wouldn’t even touch those with HIV. So we really want to go back to discriminating against people based on their private medical information?

No. The Covid/HIV comparison is ridiculous. As I said, I don’t share needles or have sex with my cleaner so I’m not bothered about their HIV status. (If I did, I would be.)

And it isn’t even vaguely equivalent to the treatment of HIV/AIDs patients in the 80s. This fabricated oppression is so irritating.

Thewiseoneincognito · 22/09/2021 16:56

@washingmachines4

I am so disheartened by the replies you have. It is absolutely your choice who you have in your home - it is perfectly reasonable to ask if they have taken measures to make themselves less of a risk to you and your household. I am surrounded it would seem with immunocompromised people and I have been wondering this myself and called cleaning agencies only to get indignant answers from antivaxxers. Sadly the conspiracies seem to have got to most of the cleaners round my way. Sad but true. I am for now doing my own cleaning but have not given up my pursuit of someone I can bring into my household. I would say to everyone who is against asking this - a vaccinated person is more likely to be hygiene conscious, wary of going to crowded places, a mask wearer and a regular hand gel applier. An unvaccinated person I would assume just doesn't give a shit about anyone else. Everyone - don't forget how important trust is when bringing someone into your home. You cannot trust someone who will not look out for the basic health of others (either selfish or stupid) - eitherway it would be a no from me.
🙄 Are you serious? Vaccinated are more hygiene conscious and wary of going to crowded places and more likely to be wearing masks?! If that’s the case the overall vaccination rate must be about 20% where I live, my city is rife with unvaxxed mask rejectors, they’re EVERYWHERE.

🙄 honestly, sometimes I do wonder how some people manage day to day life being so naive

HelplessProcrastinator · 22/09/2021 17:00

I’m as pro Vax as they come. Had mine on a clinical trial. But I think you are being ridiculous. You’re not going to be in the same room as the cleaner surely? If you are this anxious don’t invite people into your home.