Dog walker took drinks

[Threecacti]

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

Interesting comment for someone with your username

I think the theory that other clients have a “help themselves” policy on cans of pop left out, and your walker did it unthinkingly, makes a lot of sense. It’s too weird otherwise but if it’s a muscle memory subconscious thing to grab a can at many of the houses, they’ll have done it without blinking.

A drink of water or squash, absolutely fine, but I would be a bit peeved if they repeatedly helped themselves to cans of drink. I think I'd move the drinks and hope that was the end of it, rather than bringing it up. If they're otherwise doing a good job.

They need the CF...er of the year award.

Thats theft.
They took without consent and need a kick up the ass because of it.

Lock the booze up.

😂

If you'd left one can on the side, I could get that they might think it was for them, but reaching up and taking a can off the top of someone fridge is completely different!

I'd see it as a breach of trust and it would put me off having them in my house again.

What else are they helping themselves to, that you haven't noticed yet?

I'd get a new dogwalker ; trust is gone.

It is theft. I would not trust then in my home again. How do you know they are not pilfering other stuff?

It's thieft, unless they've been told to help themselves.

Unless the dog walker lives miles away and has no concept of what the weather will be like in that area I'm sure they're well aware that it's hot outside and can take their own can or use a refillable bottle if out for any length if time and refill with tap water.

They would have lost my trust too.

As you say, if they had asked you would have put them in the fridge so they could have a cold one.

I’d not replace the drinks and I definitely wouldn’t ask if they want cold drinks, they’ll start help themselves to more than drinks. How many are left?

There's a whole Curb Your Enthusiasm episode about exactly this! Larry is horrified a doctor on a home visit helps himself to a can of lemonade in the fridge.
He is then in a friends house who doesn't offer any snacks so remembering the doctor and that this appears to be acceptable behaviour he open a pack of ham and makes himself a sandwich from the fridge. Host finds out and tells everyone at a dinner party. Everyone is disgusted at his 'stealing' and he argues the doctor took lemonade. Everyone says 'liquids are okay'.
Poor La!

Is the dog walker the one you employed?

I ask this because back in the day I employed a walker through a company, met them, etc. I found out within two walks that they were sub-contracting to another walker, so handing on my keys and details and possibly compromising my insurance.

I dropped them like a stone and dobbed them in to the company.

This ⬆️. When I walk my dogs in this weather, I'm desperate for a drink when I get back. You don't divulge what drink it is but if only cans of pop I'd be absolutely fine with that.