AIBU to feel uncomfortable after builder helped himself to fridge drinks?

[Furrypaws18]

So we have builders in, everyday I give them pop, biscuits- on hot days lollies and a bacon butty on a Friday. They have toilet access/tea/coffee facilities readily available . I have purposely avoided access to my fridge so everything is out separately.
After thinking we were going through lots of drinks/snacks etc my husband decided to install a camera, to find the assistant looking through fridge and taking 2 cans for the journey home, so we think it’s been a habit. It felt like a violation. Problem is the job is otherwise going quite well, the gaffer is very respectful of the house and toilet etc but feel a bit like a soft touch now.
Boss 99% has no idea because it’s always been after he’s left. Don’t want to sour the job/their relationship etc but want him to know it wasn’t acceptable without a big showdown. Would also like to use them again, but the trust is tarnished. It’s only been drinks/food I think but still feels like a liberty. Am I being dramatic, have I given the impression it was ok? 🤔

As the wife of a builder (a bloody good, hardworking, honest and reliable one of which there are MANY!) this is not ok. If my husband found out one of his team was helping themselves to anything in a clients home he’d be livid! They all bring their own lunch and drinks to work and would never expect their client to provide either. In the heatwave a cold drink or the odd ice lolly was gratefully received of course but they would never expect it. They have a portaloo on every job so wouldn’t be using a clients toilet too. Unfortunately you’ve blurred the line by being giving them so much when you didn’t need to (very kind of course but really not needed) and the assistant had majorly crossed the line, possibly because of this. I would 100% have a word. The boss will probably be mortified but needs to pull the assistant up on it so this doesn’t happen again to you or other clients in the future.
my husband wants his lads working when they aren’t on their specified breaks and if they are eating snacks and making extra teas and coffees outside of these breaks you are essentially paying them to take extra time off.

100% agree. The business owner needs to know the score. I also like the idea of not assuming intentions ie thief / cheeky fucker - just position it as PP says ‘resetting expectations’ the business owner will read between the lines and sort it directly. If it was my business I would want to know that an employee had crossed a line even if ‘inadvertently’

Have you dealt with it this week OP?

@custardcreme77 I did, they denied all knowledge but with very shifty expressions 😭

I think it’s unlikely the OP will be back.

But if you do come back @Furrypaws18 I have a Q. You said you set up everything so they didn’t have to use the fridge.

What did you do about the milk for their teas and coffees, if indeed they used it? Presumably it wasn’t left out in the heat?