People are unclean nowadays!!!!!!!!!

[hellinahandcart700]

I have started a new job where I have to see and help people into work. I have been amazed by the amount of filthy, dirty people out there! These people are not disabled in any way and I get to know a lot about them and their circumstances. They smell of sweat, their hands and clothes are dirty (very dirty fingernails is common) and women's soles of the feet are literally brown! They are very unkempt and just don't seem to have any desire to be clean and fresh. Greasy hair is also common. Now I might get slated by some people but honestly, what has happened to people? I was taught to bathe twice a week making sure to wash everywhere, all the creases etc. Other days you have a good wash at the sink 2 or 3 times a day, washing under arms, face, genitals and feet! Do i say anything to them or could I be sued? How do you help people into work like this?

If you work in the jobcentre it's hardly "helping people into work" it is more of a humiliation exercise to shame people out of claiming benefits. People likely go to see you to avoid being sanctioned. If you "get to know a lot about them and their circumstances" then you probably are aware of their home situation. You are also probably aware that benefits don't stretch far enough to allow for luxuries such as daily hot shower or toiletries. A couple of pounds they would have to spend on a deodorant could buy them a meal instead. What would you chose in these circumstances?
Ultimately, I don't think the role is for you. Yes, it can be appropriate to discuss themes around hygiene and presentation when it comes to looking for a job but it needs to be done with compassion. Something you are, perhaps, lacking.

Twice a week? Ugh.

Change jobs OP. This kind of customer facing role (esp a vulnerable customer) isn’t for everyone and there is no shame in admitting this.

I think you've not met many people if this surprises you. There's so many vulnerable and out of work people like this.

I'm so glad someone read this teh same way as me! I shower every morning, and sometimes again in teh evening if I've been exercising etc. When i read about washing at teh sink 2 to 3 times a day, I started to think I wasn't clean enough! Who has time for that?! As @Flickersy says, just shower once a day and you'll be fine.

I've already mentioned I'm not judging anyone disabled. I would never judge you in that situation and not even expect you to work ffs. There is a huge difference between lazy people that can't be bothered and genuine problems!

Maybe have a read and then re read of@dothehokeycokey post then read it again look at as Training !

Well I sympathise, OP. That must be horrible. So many people making weak excuses for this kind of self-neglect (and lack of respect for others). It can't ALWAYS be the case that people are unable to keep themselves clean - it is sometimes laziness and basic lack of consideration for anyone else.

There's someone in my hobby group who has mild Aspergers. They are Oxford-educated and wealthy. No-one will sit anywhere near him because they stinks to high heaven. They are not physically disabled. They mind about this, but seemingly can't actually be arsed enough to actually do anything about it. They have been told - as kindly as possible - so they are aware.

I used to give this person lifts and my car stank for days afterwards.

Whatever this person's problem, they need to write a note and put it on the fridge door reminding them to wash, shower or bathe and to change their clothes. There isn't always an acceptable excuse.

These people are not disabled in any way and I get to know a lot about them and their circumstances.

sorry but wtf has being unclean to do with being disabled? is that your view of disability that it goes hand in hand with being filthy and dirty?

They do however find the money to drink every weekend then complain they have no money for food!

That’s still minging,
I shower every night and have a wash at the sink every morning and so does my husband!

Hmm.

Well i'm doing far more than many people and never smell and can get a good job!

Cost of living crisis, work sickness and poor mental health at an all time high...and you're busy judging people on how clean the soles of their feet are. Find a real problem to complain about.

@hellinahandcart700

But can you though??

Have you not read up on masking?

I deal one to one with upto 40 different people a week and I can tell you that probably 25 of them at least have real issues going on underneath the surface.

They are dressed well,clean,punctual and polite and in no way dirty to look at but they have serious issues some of them.

You really do need to either do a fuck ton of research here or get another job because it's not about sympathy op as you stated your sympathetic,it's about empathy and learning the signs.

No, genuine social problems do cause laziness and lack of being bothered.

Being stuck in poverty can wear you down. It means a person often no mental of physical energy for anything, and this includes keeping yourself clean.

Some parts of life (like cleaning) are too much of a chore, and they can't do it. ....wealthy people employ a cleaner/housekeeper. Poor people can't do that. So it doesn't get done.

I don't know why the OP is being accused by so many of not knowing everyone's circumstances- none of the people on here have been in this job centre and seen the people she's seen or know their circumstances. You may know the circumstances you have been in, but have no idea of the circumstances these people live in. Very few people in this country cannot afford a bottle of shampoo and some soap.

I don’t feel comfortable unless I shower everyday. And I am a man who, if Mumsnet is to be believed, are generally unhygienic.

No, i'm saying that if people are struggling with poor mental and physical health then it is understandable that they struggle and no judgement should be passed. It not unusual for that to be the case.

I am going to bet that you do smell. Pits and bits washes in sinks are grim.

But I think this thread is a windup.

So in your mind, all of these people have problems? There are no lazy, entitled people in the UK who jsut don't care??? Pull the other one!

We don’t know the life path that that people have had to travel for most of the people we meet. A good start would be to provide support and not judgement, perhaps that will help them.

My parents were not exactly rolling in money, but they kept themselves, us and the house clean.

It's not difficult or expensive to clean yourself ffs

'genuine problems'

You describe people who poor personal hygiene (potentially indicative of poverty, poor living conditions, and/or mental health issues) who drink (potentially have a drinking problem)

And then say they aren't people with genuine problems in the next breathe.

Have you heard yourself?!

Can we maybe define 'genuine problems'?

Or are middle class problems the only which are deemed worthy of being 'genuine'.

No one goes around stinking without an underlying cause do they?