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Original poster

Indoor camera in the house I clean?

24 replies

Lilli778 · 15/12/2024 00:11

I'm a cleaner for extra money as I'm at university. I was recommended to a new client by a family I've cleaned and babysat for for 2 years. Ive been cleaning for the new client for about 6 weeks now but I've noticed something weird every time I go round.
There's a mini indoor camera which moves position and is placed in a different room every week when I go to clean. It's very small but has a blinking light so I notice it every time, it's usually between some books or ornaments so it's not well hidden.
The client didn't tell me there was a camera and I'm feeling a bit weird about it. When I first noticed it I thought nothing of it, but the fact it's moving is freaking me out. What are your thoughts on this?
Should she have told me? I'm not up to anything bad in her house and I love cleaning, I'm just feeing like she's watching me every time I go over and it makes me uncomfortable...

OP posts:
Garlicwest · 15/12/2024 00:14

She should have told you. It is pretty normal these days, though - we all live our lives on camera. You could ask her if she minds you switching it off, I guess but, if she is nervous about having people in her house, be prepared for the job to end.

DutifulDaughterWifeMother · 15/12/2024 00:18

It’s the owners house and if she has a camera that’s her choice. If it makes her feel comfortable whilst she has a cleaner that’s her prerogative. It should make no difference to you as you have a job to do so just do the job and leave. Asking questions may just make the owner suspicious as to your questioning of why she has a camera in her own house. If the job pays well and there are no other issues personally I see no issue.

Original poster
Lilli778 · 15/12/2024 00:31

Thanks for your responses. She's super happy with the work I do as she always sends me texts absolutely beaming after she's got home. I'm really thorough, work quickly and take pride in what I do. The moving cameras just make me think she's suspicious of me though or unhappy with something? I even pick up the camera and polish it lol. Sure she's got some lovely angles of me.

OP posts:
CleverGreyDuck · 15/12/2024 00:47

It’s her choice to have a camera but I feel it would have been appropriate to tell you. But at the same time hopefully you’ve got nothing to hide so it shouldn’t bother you

Lady7978 · 15/12/2024 00:49

Where are you located, roughly? I'm in the lookout for a good, quick and reliable cleaner.

Jebatronic · 15/12/2024 00:50

Hi, the camera might not be for you. There are lots of reasons - to keep an eye on a vulnerable house member or pet for instance. Don’t turn it off but if you are uncomfortable maybe ask if you can pop a spare duster over it while you are in the room.

ReadingSoManyThreads · 15/12/2024 01:06

Jebatronic · 15/12/2024 00:50

Hi, the camera might not be for you. There are lots of reasons - to keep an eye on a vulnerable house member or pet for instance. Don’t turn it off but if you are uncomfortable maybe ask if you can pop a spare duster over it while you are in the room.

I'd imagine doing this would put her in a sticky situation if they claimed an item had gone missing.

superplumb · 15/12/2024 06:56

Has she got a pet that she likes to keep an eye on or anything?

Onlyvisiting · 15/12/2024 07:04

So I think she should have told/asked you if you were OK with it- (I'd not like it at all) but I wouldn't assume she is suspicious of you necessarily or actively watching you, I believe some of the pet cams are made to track movement, so it doesn't mean she's sitting on the app following you around the house!
Not unreasonable to mention it and ask to turn it off or leave the job if you aren't comfortable though, my family member has a cat cam and when I've popped in for kitty care while they are on holiday it makes me feel really conspicuous and awkward, it's fine as I know about it, wave hello and aren't there long, but I'd feel really awkward if I was in front of it for an hour or 2 cleaning

Toopulululu · 15/12/2024 07:06

I think they should’ve told you but I don’t think this is necessarily anything unusual or untoward, or aimed at you specifically. I don’t have any but I know a few people who have internal cameras for various reasons.

OldTinHat · 15/12/2024 07:17

I have internal cameras but I always tell anyone who comes to the house (cleaner, dog sitter) to cover them up or turn them round if they feel uncomfortable.

Mine don't record.

IdylicDay · 15/12/2024 08:36

I wouldn't feel comfortable and would ask her directly about it and why its moved to different rooms. I would HAVE to say something. I could not let it go.

Whattochoose1 · 15/12/2024 08:58

Do they have kids? We have young kids and a camera we moved about so we can watch where they play if we're not in the room with them.
Either way I'd not think too much into it.

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 15/12/2024 09:02

She should have told you. It may even be illegal not to. Estate agents have to when doing viewings. But you know now so you can either let it go or negotiate whether it should be switched off.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 15/12/2024 09:06

I wouldn't be happy about that at all. She should have told you.

I'd tell her I expect to turn it off or cover it whilst I was working. Non-negotiable.

And make a note to ask future clients about any internal cameras in future.

Newbie887 · 15/12/2024 09:07

We have a camera that gets moved between hallway and kitchen depending on if it needs to be looking at the dog while we are out for longer periods, or the front door for general safety. If we had a cleaner I’m not sure I would remember to remove it or mention it to them as honestly we never look at the footage it’s more as a precaution if we are broken into or if there’s an accident / emergency. If the family seem nice and normal I wouldn’t be freaked out by it

Wolframandhart · 15/12/2024 09:09

Could be innocent. I have a camera. It is to check in on my dog. I was planning to move it to catch him doing something I know he is doing but cannot work out when he is doing it. He is being an absolute little shih t..zu.

Lovelysummerdays · 15/12/2024 09:13

I think it’s polite to tell people if they are being watched/ recorded. I’m pretty sure it’s in my work contract that I can be recorded on cctv specifies images not sound. However on the phone they record audio.

It is ops workplace. I used to clean holiday lets and would listen to music, it was a pretty intensive four hours and would keep me upbeat. However I’d be unimpressed if footage of me shimmying along with a mop was recorded without my knowledge.

Porridgeislife · 15/12/2024 09:15

We have fixed, wired cameras in our hallway and living room as part of our home security system. They’re off when we’re home (so off when the cleaner is in too).

It’s extremely common these days - our area has gone over 18 months without a single burglary being resolved and as recently as last week there was a guy casing the village going door to door apologising for his “noisy work on a neighbouring property” so pretty much every house has some form of CCTV, from Ring doorbells to wired systems.

Zanatdy · 15/12/2024 09:19

Pretty normal to have an indoor camera, I have one in my bedroom for the dog. I did make my cleaner aware of it, and she should have too. It’s maybe for pets / kids.

theeyeofdoe · 15/12/2024 09:21

It wouldn't even occur for me to tell someone any more that we have cameras - they're pretty visible though.

If you're not doing anything dodgy, I'm not sure why it would bother you.

Wellingtonspie · 15/12/2024 09:24

We have internal cameras just as an add on to the external ones. Can’t say I’ve ever checked on the cat sitter inside the house while away. I see that she’s arrived due to the doorbell and know not to bother with any further notifications as it’s her not a burglar.

Original poster
Lilli778 · 15/12/2024 18:10

Im not doing anything dodgy at all and she doesn't have kids or pets. Just her and her husband. It's just the one camera too

OP posts:
Wellingtonspie · 15/12/2024 19:35

Maybe they do hidden camera style porn.

Could be endless possibilities for it.

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