To be annoyed cleaner opens the window...

[ImStillMe]

....because of Covid. I ventilate when the office is busier later in the day but early morning it's just me in and it's cold.

But the cleaner walks in and opens the windows. I'm sure she wouldn't do that to the MD sitting in his office.

She popped back in one day and gave me a dirty look as I had shut them. I've already told her that I open them later.

I know I need to just tell her not to open them but I think she's going to answer back and it'll all be very awkward.

What to say?

Good grief. When did opening a window become a sign of madness!

Rooms need airing sometimes. Other cleaners on the thread have advised that this is part of their job requirements.

I know I need to just tell her not to open them

No. She needs to tell you that she’s opening them and they are staying open. Honestly you should like you don’t understand.

Really?

When the reason given is “because of covid”.

Why does the cleaner have more power over a space you are using. I would close the windows and tell her also. If she answers back just tell her you are the one using the space and it's important for you to be comfortable so you can work effectively. I don't think should have to justify anything to the cleaner really.

But how is telling her you’ll open them later going to help her? She is perhaps opening them because she is worried about covid. Ventilation has been shown to be the most effective mitigation, so surely she has a right to that when she is at work.

No it hasn't

The cleaner is an employee going to work like any other. I feel these references to ‘answering back’ and not ‘having to justify anything to the cleaner’ are quite offensive.

Why does oP have more power over someone else doing their job, if op doesnt like it then she can close the window herself.

The cleaner is also the one using the space and it’s important for her to be comfortable so she can work effectively.

Unless you think only the OP’s work counts?

Yes, they are both working, both using the space. The OP would be affected for a short time until the space warms up the few degrees again, the cleaner for a much longer time if every person she was working alongside during her working day insisted that the windows stay closed.

If the OP and the cleaner disagree then the OP needs to take it higher up.

As someone who has worked as a cleaner, YANBU and I would never make employers/people working in the space uncomfortable. MN has a weird thing about people mentioning cleaners for some reason as if any issue is an elitist attack.

I know for me being cold totally disrupts my work - even if I'm sitting in a jumper and coat my face, hands and nose can be cold and I can feel freezing.

Ask the cleaner if you can wear a mask while she cleans because leaving windows open as it draws near to winter isn't workable.

Opening the windows also lets out the cleaning fumes, no? Would you prefer to sit there and breathe in all the chemicals?

What is paranoia and someone not getting a grip of anxiety to you may be, to someone else, a fear that they may pass on Covid ( which does still exist) on to a vulnerable person which could in fact kill them. Perhaps you have not experienced this, or know anyone who died, or who continues to struggle with long covid.

Don't be ridiculous. She deserves a few weeks in prison.

The cleaner also has every right to worry about covid. Low paid 'unskilled' women were hit hard.

My cleaner opens my windows to let air in while she’s cleaning then closes them. Nothing to do with covid she just likes to air the rooms.

Covid isn't over, far from it. With this new variant which they say is evading the vaccine, cases are quite high and rising daily.

Oh yes. She has every right to worry about whatever she wants. She does not have a right to inflict it on everyone else.

TheHumanExperience · Today 12:07
Redhop · 17/11/2022 22:07
Yanbu. Covid has finished now
Covid isn't over, far from it. With this new variant which they say is evading the vaccine, cases are quite high and rising daily.“

which country are you in? We’re in UK, north west where cases are falling. regular news watcher/listener. Have heard nothing about a new variant that’s evading vaccines? Could you point me to a reliable report, please?

Cleaning products emit fumes. They can't be good for her all day long

Yabu

In a workplace all products are covered by COSH doubt she’s using anything that would emit enough fumes to cause a problem

Sprays, polish, air freshener, carpet fresheners all emit smells that can be irritating, some people could be allergic, whats the harm in opening a few windows to let smells out and fresh air in. Maybe the office smells of old food, coffee, people.

If she insists on doing this, then I would ask for the heating to be turned up and she should be shutting them when she goes not leaving them open, hardly energy efficient doing this in the winter.

Wow are people really this thick? No it really hasn't and ventilation is one of the best means to reduce transmission