Cleaner dilemma

[Mollymaid2]

I’m a cleaner and used to cleaning when clients are home as they generally make themselves scarce so we dint get in each other’s way. Mostly they go out. I have a new client who I’ve only been to twice. He has slight learning difficulties and my initial visit was managed by a family member and himself and they assured me he would go out when I cleaned. It’s a very small space so otherwise I would have declined if he was goinb to be home as there is really no avoiding each other! First time he went when I arrived came back as I was finishing - great!

Second visit he went out at first but came back halfway through the clean stinking of drink. I guess he doesn’t work due to his special needs. He proceeded to sit and watch me which was very uncomfortable and was making conversation. I was deliberately polite but not friendly. At one pony the hoover wore was trailing over his feet and he just sat there. I felt so uncomfortable but not sure how to word this to the agency that I dint really want to go back as he hasn’t actually done anything I just find him creepy! What would you do?

I'm afraid I don't think you have grounds to complain just yet. Can you wear headphones as an excuse not to engage?

I used to be a cleaner and it was so much quicker with no clients at home. Having to switch between rooms because they are using one slowed me down, engaging in small talk, trying to be quiet and not clatter about etc all made the jobs with people there take more time, but I knew I couldn't insist they left.

see what he does next time. If he’s hime for more than 1/4 the time tell the agency he gets in your way and tries to make conversation which means you have to be rude or not get the job done properly.

Thank you. It’s just so uncomfortable and embarrassing being watched! I do normally wear headphones but feel rude when someone is there so tend to only wear them when I’m alone. However that is a really good idea to just say hi when he comes in then be engrossed in what I’m listening to. I just question why he comes home to sit and watch me when his family member said he will go to hers while I’m there so I know he has somewhere to go?

Gosh! This does sound uncomfortable. I think perhaps the first step is flagging this to your agency. Do the agency liaise with clients family? Perhaps they could gently check with the family that the client is happy to go out due to the small space. I had a cleaner after I gave birth in the winter, so I didn’t want to leave at the early time she came in the morning. However, I had the option to change rooms and our talk was minimal. I too wanted her to get done as quickly and efficiently as she could so I certainly didn’t want to disturb.

Do you have any way of contacting the family member to jet them know what's happening? They maybe think he's still out and didn't realise he'd returned but might be more proactively involved if they knew he was not doing what he needs at do?

That's be my first thing I'd try. And telling them that if they can't keep him out you're sorry but you won't be going back.

Dont wear headphones,its better to be aware of whats going on,movement etc.Things can happen very quickly,be alert.
I would get the agency to contact the relative and explain that cleaning wont be done unless the client is out,due to small space making it unsafe to use equipment.
Also register your unease with the agency.
You can refuse to clean there if you are not comfortable.I work for an agency,not cleaning but in peoples homes,if I dont feel comfortable or safe I dont go back.

Yeah I will have to do something if he does it agin as no way can I clean while being watched. I know what I’m like though I will just make an excuse and not tell the truth haha! It’s so hard saying to someone get out of your own house 😂. Like I say I’ve cleaned when people are in and they are absolutely lovely and keen to make me comfortable and not get in my way! I do think the family member assumes he’s out to be fair but I guess it would be the agencies job to liaise with her not me.

@Kastri you are right. It’s so vulnerable really being in a house alone with a man as there would be nothing you could do if the worst should happen.

Yes its the agency who will have to contact the relative before your next visit is due.You have to be quite firm about not working if he is there and if he comes in anyway you pack up and leave and report it.

If you feel uncomfortable, stop working for him. There are plenty more clients.

If it pays well OP just carry on around him. If he hasn't got the sense to move that's on him.

If the job is a bit shit anyway, move on.

Please trust your instincts and don’t go back.

If you work for an agency just tell them it's not a good fit. Clients can decide they want a new cleaner so it works the other way round. I ditched a client who only gave me 1 cloth to clean a 3 story, 4 bed house and expected the floors cleaned my me getting on my hands and knees and using said cloth, not a mop!

Do what you’re comfortable with. As women, we’ve been conditioned to suppress our internal warning signs in favour of being polite to others and not causing a fuss. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, acknowledge it and do something to rectify it, even if it means telling your agency it’s not a good fit for you.

@Mollymaid2

I know what you mean,

I have been a proffessional cleaner myself in the past and this would i can amagine feel a bit awarkward and uncomfortable too,

You need to have a word with your agency to behalf if he could stick to the orginal idea of going out for a while whilst you do your work as it just makes things easier for you...

Definitely tell the family. I have a friend who is very similar to who you describe. We would absolutely want to know that he wasn’t sticking to the arrangement, and would immediately put in measures to assist you (us taking him out etc).

Thanks everyone . He was in when I came but I kept any chat to a minimum and he went out! Thanks for the advice I have taken it all on board in case it occurs again.