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? 🤔

It’s a bit odd, but so is all the food and drinks you are already supplying to them.

When is the job due to finish?

They never drank the fridge dry. Such dramatics.

A few cans, waters and milk a day were not going to be a problem.

Don't put a sign up; that's passive aggressive. Just call everyone round one morning, thank them for their work but ask they don't take anything from the fridge aside from you've what you've agreed to provide. Just needs a bit of assertiveness with a smile.

It's funny isn't - some people seem to think that strangers in your home should have access to anything they want. I had thought I set a boundary without being too regimental about it. The fridge is in the part of my home they don't really need to be in, so it's just bluhh really. I'm always respectful of the trades being from a family full of them, who don't see this as acceptable btw. I don't want to be dramatic about 'pop' - it's more than that to me - you welcome someone in your home, you want to feel mutual trust, but there we are. It's been great to hear different opinions, most of them sensible and balanced. Thank you for taking the time to comment 😀

I would load the fridge up with cheaper drinks and let them at it. If they are good builders and you want to use them again then it’s worth it. As long as that’s all they are taking I couldn’t get worked up about a few cans and some bags of crisps

Why are you giving them branded? Youve pointed it out a few times so you cant afford it

I agree with @Boromirsgreyhound. When we have builders in, we offer hot and cold drinks, snacks, water, ice lollies if it’s hot (never bacon butties though — maybe we should start!) — and I’d be very happy for them to ask for anything they need — but helping themselves to things from my fridge for the journey home!? I’d be fuming…

I'd talk to them and say you noticed drinks were missing and that you put out what is for them (and if you aren't doing this, make it clear ).

It's really NOT on for them to trea your food and drink as if were theirs.

I'm actually amazed you're being so generous.

Our tradesmen get a few mugs of builders' tea and some Digestives if I'm feeling generous. Bacon butties? No way!

This is what I think too. A small price to pay for good builders working in a heatwave

I always tell workmen there's drinks in the fridge and to help themselves as I can't be bothered to keep offering plus im not always home when they are there. Its a few drinks not like their helping themselves to your kids packed lunch

There is a tap. They can help themselves to water which is what ours have done in the past- they bring their own bottles and refill them.

Not relevant here.

This woman has been going well out of her way to keep these ‘trades’ refreshed - litteral ice buckets of dozens and dozens of liters of premium fizzy drinks, multiple snacks and even cooking bacon sandwiches for them on around 6 occasions.

Meanwhile this person has taken from them for the ride home. And not 1, but 2 drinks cans. It’s like someone inviting you into their home, feeding you dinner, giving you dessert, and then you open their cupboard and take two mars bars on your way out.

I’m currently house-sitting and enjoying someone else’s lovely house. I’m welcome to use it and enjoy everything I’ve been given permission to use. I’m not going to dismantle the shed and take it home with me when I leave.

Yes should probably ask, but to be honest if they are doing a good job and otherwise respectful I'd let it go. There are worse things in life than a few cans of drink, and decent builders are hard to come by.

Omg the weather is boiling they've worked hard wtf! Set up a cool box with drinks from Costco / Lidl and respectfully ask them to use that not the fridge.

As always I'm amazed at how horrible people are on these threads! And how tight!! You're having 100k of works done i think you can afford to see the builders right by a few drinks in a heatwave omg

How odd. Dry bread too? I ordered lunch in for our renovation team; they did work at shop fitter speed so not a long term job.

My postman doesn't have access to my fridge but has a supply of cold drinks ready for him here.

I'm grateful for the parcel collections service and wouldn't begrudge good builders a cold drink ~ especially if they might be on an apprentice wage. As a tax to avoid cowboy builders this wouldn't get to me at all. Positively cheap for a good relationship.

Each to their own

Who sets a camera up to watch a fridge this cannot be real

If OP had told the workers to "help themselves" then fine but she didn't. It's beyond rude and out of order to just go to someone's fridge and help yourself. I would never do that even with my siblings.

Wouldn't bother me a jot.

No he's a cheeky fucker,just because you have given them drinks doesn't give them the ok to get something for the trip home from your fridge.l would mention it,and tell them explicitly the fridge is out of bounds-don't mention the camera.

Why are you so thick you can’t even read the op’s posts!!! She gives them the more expensive brand name soft drinks EVERY DAY and also ice and cold water and tea and coffee etc!!! This little THIEF is going into their fridge once works ended and the boss has gone home and has been helping himself to 2 cans plus other items every day!!! This is THEFT!!! He can’t say it’s because he’s not been given anything as he is!!! And even if he isn’t then he’s being paid to do a job not to be catered to all day long!!!

These comments are madness! I don’t know a single tradesperson who would think it’s ok to help themselves to items from a customers fridge. I’d definitely have a polite word as you’ve said you’d possibly use them again, another alternative is to out the drinks elsewhere so there’s nothing to take (not that you should have to though!

Have you even read any of OPs comments?

I’m always amazed that people comment on a thread before reading it

Indeed! I used to desperately want some of those! 🍪