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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dog walker took drinks

64 replies

Threecacti · 07/07/2023 18:11

I have someone who comes in to walk my dog and let the cat out when I am on a long office day. They are quite new to me and have been with me about 6 weeks.

They seem reliable and always turn up when planned. I pay by BACS either on the day or the next day, never been late or need to be chased to pay.

However, I noticed I had some drinks on top of the fridge which have been disappearing a can at a time when they come round. I don't drink them (I use then for guests) so I know I haven't accidentally had more than planned, and no-one else has been here.

I honestly don't begrudge the dog walker having one but I did think it was a bit off that they didn't ask? I would never take something like that from a client personally.

Would you say something? It has been hard to find someone so I don't want to seem like I'm being confrontational

YABU - it's fine just leave them to take it
YANBU - Say or do something

OP posts:
Smartiepants79 · 07/07/2023 18:15

It’s a bit off to not have asked but I’d not begrudge them a drink.
If you don’t want those ones being drunk move them out of sight and leave out something you’re happy for them to have. Unless you’re planning to sack them I don’t think it’s worth the hassle of actually saying anything.

goldcheese · 07/07/2023 18:15

YANBU
They should ask

Idrankyourbananamilk · 07/07/2023 18:18

It’s a form of stealing. It’s not on. Unless you’ve said “help yourself to something to drink” they shouldn’t be taking any.

Mindymomo · 07/07/2023 18:18

If you are leaving them out on fridge and dog walker has to go in kitchen, I would say they probably think you’ve left them for them to have. Reliable dog walkers are hard to get, so If you don’t want the person taking them, put them away.

CookieCutter8 · 07/07/2023 18:20

It's very cheeky. I'd be annoyed. Just move them, they'll get the hint and know you've noticed without you having to bring it up.

TheFlis12345 · 07/07/2023 18:23

It’s really off to take them regularly without asking, my dog walker would never take anything without checking, she even double checked what it was ok for her to give the dog. I would agree with moving them as another poster suggested.

croft89 · 07/07/2023 18:24

Smartiepants79 · 07/07/2023 18:15

It’s a bit off to not have asked but I’d not begrudge them a drink.
If you don’t want those ones being drunk move them out of sight and leave out something you’re happy for them to have. Unless you’re planning to sack them I don’t think it’s worth the hassle of actually saying anything.

OP shouldn't have to hide things away

This is stealing, it could well lead to other things going missing too

Red flag

missmollygreen · 07/07/2023 18:25

I wouldn't trust them in my house anymore, personally

What next, a few quid left on the kitchen counter being taken?

BUT, you need to be sure it is actually them

Aquamarine1029 · 07/07/2023 18:26

They are stealing from you. I would be finding a new dog walker.

CantFindTheBeat · 07/07/2023 18:27

Can you put a camera in your kitchen?

It's 100% not appropriate as a regular thing.

EvilElsa · 07/07/2023 18:28

I wouldn't mind at all if asked. I'd have probably offered, especially if they are designated guest drinks! The taking would make me wonder what else the dog walker would help themselves to though. It could obviously be absolutely nothing but once that trust is gone it's gone.

TomatoSandwiches · 07/07/2023 18:29

It's indicative of their attitude to other people's belongings, boundaries and entitlement.

I would not trust them.

AdoraBell · 07/07/2023 18:29

YANBU, she could ask if she could have a drink. I would move the drinks, out of sight.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 07/07/2023 18:30

It's not okay and most people who are trusted to work in other people's homes are obsessively scrupulous about not betraying that trust. It isn't the right job for someone who is casual about other people's belongings.

WaitingForNothingGood · 07/07/2023 18:31

I wouldn't trust them to come in the house again.

KateJohns · 07/07/2023 18:31

Wouldn't bother me in the least, unless it's particularly expensive cans of drink.
Just random cans of Pepsi or Sprite, have at it dog walker, especially on hot days.

Aquamarine1029 · 07/07/2023 18:34

KateJohns · 07/07/2023 18:31

Wouldn't bother me in the least, unless it's particularly expensive cans of drink.
Just random cans of Pepsi or Sprite, have at it dog walker, especially on hot days.

What if the dog walker took some chicken breasts, cheese, or a bag of crisps? Would that bother you? After all, what's the difference?

BreatheAndFocus · 07/07/2023 18:44

It’s stealing. What else have they taken that you haven’t noticed? That’s what I’d be thinking.

bussteward · 07/07/2023 18:44

KateJohns · 07/07/2023 18:31

Wouldn't bother me in the least, unless it's particularly expensive cans of drink.
Just random cans of Pepsi or Sprite, have at it dog walker, especially on hot days.

Glass of tap water, fine. Fair game in any house. Cans of drink are costly! Even if they were panda colas from the corner shop, it’s still odd to help yourself in your client’s house. It’s not yours.

ANiceBigCupOfTea · 07/07/2023 18:45

It's dodgy behaviour not to have asked or at least messaged when they had taken them.
It doesn't matter what the job is, but when you go into your clients homes as part of the role you don't help yourself to things unless you've been specifically told its ok.

LaylaLjungberg · 07/07/2023 18:47

If it was a really hot day no problem but I wouldn’t want them taking one as a daily perk.

NoChanceYouMetalBastard · 07/07/2023 18:48

Mindymomo · 07/07/2023 18:18

If you are leaving them out on fridge and dog walker has to go in kitchen, I would say they probably think you’ve left them for them to have. Reliable dog walkers are hard to get, so If you don’t want the person taking them, put them away.

This. He/she probably assumes they've been left out so he/she can help themselves to a can to drink whilst walking the dog.

I love the use of "they've been with me 6 weeks"! As though they are an employee of yours! They contract out a service that you pay for, they aren't on your staff!

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 07/07/2023 18:50

I'm a dog walker and it would never occur to me to just take a drink from someone's house like that.

Most of my clients do tell me to help myself, but that's very different to just assuming drinks left out are there to be taken.

MrsMarzetti · 07/07/2023 18:52

A can of drink this week, what will it be next week ?

10HailMarys · 07/07/2023 18:58

CantFindTheBeat · 07/07/2023 18:27

Can you put a camera in your kitchen?

It's 100% not appropriate as a regular thing.

Not sure a camera in the kitchen is a proportionate response to a missing can of Fanta tbh. It would cost a lot more to install the camera than to simply buy another six pack and put them in a cupboard.

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