HELP! Inappropriate message from client I clean for.

[LemonLass]

Need advice on how to proceed, ladies.

Just started cleaning for a chap in his 70s in a town I lived in for 20yrs. His partner lives around 20 miles away and asked for help on his behalf. He has grown up kids and grandkids and is a professional (medical) semi retired.

I have cleaned for him twice and he goes out once I arrive.

I am due to clean tomorrow. He has just messaged to advise a plumber will be at his tomorrow. Owner will be out on his motorbike. OK, not ideal someone there but ok (I have a key).

Then I received this message. Urgh.

My instinct was block and dont engage and return key (he will be out).

Alternative to send this screenshot to the partner and say why I quit (and drop key as above).

Or go and clean as he wouldnt be there.

I am not a prude but his text was totally inappropriate. I had thought he had sent it in error but no word from him since to backtrack.

Comments and advice please ladies. Would you clean for this person under these circunstances. This extra money is £13ph self employed if that makes a difference to your comments (not a lot but very handy sideline).

How awkward!

PS i think i have successfully scrubbed anything identifiable.

Open up the image! The thumbnail only shows harmless messages.

Also... Post key through letter box and block his number.

Also, raise your prices!

Send a screenshot of the message to his partner, tell her you'll post his key through his letterbox and that you don't want to hear from him again.

Dirty perv! Fuck politeness, why should you be polite?

It's not an accidental message to the wrong person or he'd have apologised.

I started cleaning last month. I clean once a fortnight. Tomorrow would be my 3rd clean. He has chatted about going out to golf and his job but nothing inappropriate that is why I am in shock. I expected an OMG, sorry that was for partner but received nothing.

If it is intended for me.I am creeped out. If it was my niece in this situation I would tell her to tell him to F OFF! I have been gaslit in the past so hard to see past this so asking for help. Thanks ladies x

Aaaah!! I've just read the whole message. Sounds like a mistake.

Click the msg and you are more (I thought the same at first lol)

Wow !!!
what a dick - yes tell the partner who set u up ! And tell them both to eff off !!!

Ahh hadn't thought he could have sent in error. If so, how bloody awkward for you both

The tone is very ‘bot’, isn’t it? Like if I saw that on social media I’d automatically think it was a bot, rather than a human being inappropriate. The generic appeal to engagement and the clichéd emoji choice.

Not sure what that could mean has happened tech-wise, but I feel like there’s potentially an alternative explanation than him randomly pivoting to being inappropriate with you.

I would reply along the lines of "I beg your pardon? This is a totally inappropriate and unacceptable message. Can you please explain why you sent it?" and then take time to think about whether you want to go and work for him at all.

"Don't be ridiculous, Geoffrey, I'm not interested in your private habits. Any more nonsense like this and I'll be reporting you."

That's really odd isn't it? It almost looks like someone else has got hold of his phone. The previous messages are so innocuous, there's no lead up. You definitely should quit though, absolutely not worth the risk that it is from him and it's not your job to try and figure it out.

I think that’s a mistake and meant for someone else. Reply with “was this meant for me???” He’ll probably be mortified. If he’s not, you know what to do.

Just chatted about this with my dh and we both agree you should ask if that was meant for you as it’s so out of character and inappropriate. Judge what to do next based on his response,

Wow people are bending themselves into knots looking for an explanation honestly no wonder men get away with such shite!

Block, send screenshot to partner and post key back

I was expected a feantic backtrack but nothing since. I am in shock.

I think it's pretty clear it was sent to you in error OP. Just reply saying, 'I think you meant to send this to someone else???' He'll probably text back his extreme apologies, but if not, then just quit if you're that bothered.

this!
it gives him a chance to correct his mistake (hopefully this is the case)
But also tells him you will not stand for him talking to you like that.

I'm pretty sure that's not for you.

It's so absolutely different to the text before.

Almost definitely not meant for you, I’d say, but gross nonetheless. Wouldn’t blame you for never going back.

It clearly wasn’t meant for you 😳

To me it reads as though he has sent you something that he intended for someone else. I have done this although it has not been this type of message. So I think you have two choices - you can either stop working for him completely or respond and say "did you mean this for me" and see what he says, then decide what to do from there.

It was meant for you. He's testing the waters to see what you say and enjoying giving you a little shock. But if you ask him about it he'll pretend it was a mistake and meant for someone else. I wouldn't be cleaning for him again, sounds like he can't control his actions.

I dont think ANYONE would own up to this if scrutinised 🫤 If I have to ask? Shouldnt he be the one sweating and apologising rather than me?

THIS!!!!!!!!

Well, it's either not for you or it is meant for you but written after a string of boring messages so that he could deny it. I guess if you can't tell which then it's probably best to withdraw your services.