Bizarre experience with cleaner

[Purplelemon7]

I just had a replacement cleaner from
the agency because my regular cleaner is on holiday. The replacement cleaner asked for gloves which I gave her and she complained that they are dirty. I told her they are just fading slightly not dirty. She said she needs other ones. I told her I’m sorry I don’t have others but she is free to use or not use them. A few minutes later she started shouting on her phone and crying. I went into the kitchen and asked her to keep her voice down because I’m working. She came in to the lounge and started screaming at me for not providing kitchen towel and then started packing her things up and stormed off. I’m a bit shaken by the whole thing. My husband thinks she has mental health issues and we shouldn’t complain in case she loses her job. I’m not sure?

I bet she uses mumsnet and recognised herself in your post so got in there first

Was she asking for cloths perhaps, not gloves?

She sounds extremely unstable, and Surely you won’t have used bad language in talking with her.
Horrid experience.
Surely if a professional cleaner, she provides kitchen roll &c?

Little story about cleaners from ex boss of mine. She discovered that a cleaner she used was stealing from her. Can't quite recall how or what, think it was perfume, etc.

Cleaner apparently went mad when accused of having stolen (hired through agency). My boss was the loveliest woman ever and wouldn't lie!

Hmmm the situation certainly sounds bizarre. Some details are missing somewhere…

I really think you can't be an adult human and genuinely be 'perplexed at why anyone would behave like this' - have you never heard of mental health problems? Or people who behave in difficult ways?

She deserves a full complaint made against her. It’s very thoughtful of your husband to worry about her possibly having mental health problems and losing her job, but what about all the people with mental health problems that are at risk of having her round their house? It could be incredibly distressing for some people to have someone ranting and shouting in their home, and lots of vulnerable people really need cleaners. She shouldn’t be allowed into any clients home again if she’s going to behave like a spoilt child.

I’d take a few photos of whatever she said was missing to prove she’s telling lies. Also the truth of exactly what happened. And also obviously point out that you’ve used this company for x amount of years without a problem. And I’d actually go on the offensive rather than the defensive. You’ve done fuck all wrong and she’s caused an absolute shit storm over nothing. I wouldn’t be kindly explaining and grovelling that it was her and not you. I’d be telling them you’re disgusted by their employees actions towards a reliable, regular, long term customer. You expect an apology and someone else to do the clean that you’ve paid them to do

Gloves are a personal use thing though. She shouldn’t have to provide cleaning supplies but if she chooses to wear gloves then she can provide her own. They are a choice, not a necessity.

Are you in London? We had exactly the same experience a few weeks ago- an agency cleaner who had a total meltdown and walked out, followed by her making false accusations.

Sounds like she was having a very bad day. Unrelated to you.
Then worried she might lose her job after behaving badly.
Agree with advice to give a very factual account of what happened.

Hmm does sound like the comment about the detergent being on the counter in front of her coukd be construed as sarcastic and rude.

Have you read the op? I disagree that gloves should be provided, but as it was the op did provide some. The cleaner just didn’t like them. She then complained she couldn’t find the detergent, the op pointed them out right in front of her. And the cleaner complained that there wasn’t any cloths, the op said there was plenty. By the op’s admission the only thing she didn’t have which the cleaner asked for was kitchen roll. I only use that if I’m doing the windows. And even if what the cleaner was saying was true, then surely ‘I’m sorry I can’t complete the clean as you don’t have the right equipment, please make sure you do next time’ is the right way to go about it? Not crying and kicking off and making up complete bullshit to the agency?

In fact the attitude seemed to start when she asked where the detergent is and I said “It’s all on the counter in front of you”

The gloves definitely weren’t dirty though, why would I want her spreading dirt around my kitchen when I have her around for cleaning!

I don’t know to be honest reading these you do sound quite rude, and she obviously felt the same.

I agree and I’d want to wear gloves if I were cleaning strangers homes too. But the OP provided her with gloves, the cleaner decided they weren’t good enough. If thats her attitude to gloves that are provided, then she needs to bring her own.

Am I the only one thinking something is missing in this story? Like OP was probably rude to the cleaner and is now writing a bizarre story about them here so they can justify their behaviour?

What is she claiming was said?

@chesirecat99 Yes SW London

"Being a cleaner is not “degrading” or “gross” - it is entirely honest and respectable"

for clarity I entirely agree but I could see someone finding the thought of cleaning someone else's house upsetting and degrading, if they hadn't done this sort of work before. e.g. had maybe only done office cleaning and was 'used' to that. Doesn't make OP unreasonable. Cleaner does sound to be making up the derogatory language thing but it sounds like as a employee cleaner was needing someone to do a lot of training and hand holding and WFH OP wasn't really able to be in 'supportive manager' mode.

I don’t think she’s new to cleaning. I have a feeling when I first started with this company she was one of the first few cleaners they sent. After that I never saw her again even though my regular cleaner is off a fair bit on holidays and medical appointments and they seem to always send the same 5/6 cleaners as replacements who are close to me. This cleaner’s cleaning was ok but not as good as the cleaner I went on to choose for regular cleaning. The one thing I remember (if she is the same person I’m thinking off) was that she used kitchen towel for everything which I thought was not very environmentally friendly. It seems like the lack of kitchen towel in my kitchen this time upset her as that’s the last thing she said before she left.

That truly is a little story.

I would calmly speak out and explain what happened. Who knows it’s probably something she does to get out of work early you just never know. I have had a few cleaners and I have seen it all now. By speaking up you will stop her doing this to someone else.

Lol at all the mitigation on here for barking mad cleaner.

OP has paid money for a clean which she didn't get. If the cleaner really feels that uneasy in peoples houses that she need a to wear new gloves, I'd suggest she's in the wrong job.