Rude cleaner at work

[Zig27]

I have been doing a temp job for 2 months. About a month ago a new cleaner started and moved over from another site. After a week of being nice he started being passive aggressive and soon as you get in to work he wants to have a go at you about lack of equipment.

As part of my job I order equipment but anything expensive has to go through the manager. I emailed the manager about one request as it was expensive, she left it a few weeks and then emails back after I chased up to say the cleaner needs to purchase themself and claim through expenses. The manager and supervisor did not tell the cleaner this about the equipment and I don’t see the cleaner much to tell him as I’m part time.

As soon as I got in today he asked about this equipment and I said I was told that he needs to purchase and reclaim through expenses and I asked if the management had told him. He started having a go at me and I said to speak to the management as it was their decision but he wouldn’t let it go and kept blaming me. I really don’t need this crap as soon as I walk through the door. The cleaner said he had issues before at our other site with management and was pushed out which is why he has come to our site. I’m not surprised with such a bad attitude. Anyone got any tips, I really don’t want engage with this negative person.

Sounds like the main problem is crappy management. Can they talk to him directly?

He needs this equipment to do his job and you left it a few weeks before chasing management?

@Goawayquickly

He needs this equipment to do his job and you left it a few weeks before chasing management?

I don’t see him much as I’m part time. Why did he not chase with another member of staff when I’m not in on the early shift.

No one should be having a go but understandable frustration. Does everyone need pay for things need to do job? Are you having buy ink and printer paper then claim it back? Cleaners often lowest paid people if they can’t afford buy it first what’s supposed happen then? Nobody wins as can’t clean as well with no equipment.

@pinkyredrose

Sounds like the main problem is crappy management. Can they talk to him directly?

The management are crap. I’m glad I didn’t apply for the permanent position here that I’m temping for. They probably didn’t want to tell him as he will say they are bullying him.

empathise with him. Tell you understand his annoyance and if you could change things you would. Maybe you can bond over agreement of how shite management are

Yeah, that’s really bad management imho. A cleaner cannot afford to buy expensive equipment out of pocket and then wait weeks/months to be reimbursed for it. His frustration is completely understandable.

As for him bothering you, you said it is part of your job to buy equipment. I don’t see why you’re not pleading his case with management? Yes, he is rude and unlikeable, but as a professional you should be doing what you can to get management to be more reasonable.

It’s not negativity to expect your employer to provide you with the equipment you need to do your job.

Well it's not good that he's taking it out on you and you should just ignore, shut down conversation and keep saying 'talk to the manager. I can't help you with this. This is the advice I was given by the manager. Talk to the manager.'

However it is pretty shit if he is expected to buy a large, expensive piece of equipment required for his job himself via expenses on a cleaners salary and wait to get paid back via expenses. That is objectively a shit way to operate a company and not something he should be obliged to do.

I see his point tbh. You’ve done the bare minimum to help and wonder why he’s annoyed he doesn’t have the right equipment.

If you sort out his problem—considering you order the equipment—he won’t be a problem for you anymore.

@Akire

No one should be having a go but understandable frustration. Does everyone need pay for things need to do job? Are you having buy ink and printer paper then claim it back? Cleaners often lowest paid people if they can’t afford buy it first what’s supposed happen then? Nobody wins as can’t clean as well with no equipment.

Agree, it's outrageous that a cleaner is meant to pay for things up front. I'd speak to management and make clear that these interruptions and hassle are taking time away from your job, you obviously have no power to sort the issue out, and they need to step in.

I completely agree he should have the equipment to do his job as he needs it. I had already purchased what he needed before and he said it wasn’t big enough. I asked the manager for the equipment and chased up. I don’t know what else I could have done. I suppose he sees the way to get things resolved is to be rude. I don’t know what I can do if management are not interested in giving some equipment to do their job. It’s such a negative place to work as there is always a high staff turnover or sickness.

Poor man, he is told to pay upfront for equipment to do his job, no one bothers telling him, he probably has to wait weeks for the expenses to be paid back. He sees you as the go between with him and management and all he gets is ignored and told to buy it himself. I am surprised he and you haven't just left and got better jobs where staff respect each other a bit more.

I would be tempted make brief note and dates of what you have done or copy of an email to management. He has record of what’s been complained about for his own case. He knows you have listened and pushed things further up which is all you can do.

@Akire

I would be tempted make brief note and dates of what you have done or copy of an email to management. He has record of what’s been complained about for his own case. He knows you have listened and pushed things further up which is all you can do.

A good idea as I can see the management trying to blame me for this. The management have been here for over 10 years but most staff have been here a year or less. People don’t get heard here so leave.