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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be annoyed that my cleaner has been using my PC without asking?

124 replies

LaDiDaDi · 01/02/2010 16:32

Today I came home and, after looking on mumsnet, went to go on facebook. I noticed that the email address on the log in page is my cleaner's. She must have been on my PC on facebook when she was here cleaning.

Now usually I really like my cleaner, I give her 20 pounds a week for around 2 hours work, she is friendly and if I'm in then we have a chat. When I had ds recently she brought him a lovely gift and if I ask her to do some more hours, paid for obv., then she tries to fit them in. BUT, I'm a bit annoyed about this, I don't think that she should have been on my PC without permission.

AIBU? If not should I say something or just make sure that my PC log in is passworded and not mention it?

OP posts:
AitchTwoOhOneOh · 01/02/2010 21:33

but WHY? in all likelihood she didn't look at anything remotely personal, just checked her fb. why is that an instantly sackable breach? without having even spoken to the woman, it's bonkers that anyone is suggesting binning a perfectly lovely employee and not paying her for her time. that's not the way to treat people, even when they are in the wrong.

AitchTwoOhOneOh · 01/02/2010 21:34

disciplinary procedures, you say?

so not dismissal on the spot and docking of wages? sounds like your HT is a lot more reasonable about this sort of thing than most of the posters on here.

AnyFucker · 01/02/2010 21:35

OP, just out of interest...

does the 20 quid you give her go through any "books" ?

just wondering, 'cos all this talk of "employee" and "disciplinary procedures" would be pretty null and void if it didn't...

Hulababy · 01/02/2010 21:36

I haven't suggested instantly dismissing her. I do think OP should speak to her though, having decided what her next steps will be.

However, I do think it is a breach of trust and I imagine that in many jobs it would trigger disciplinary action if an employee went on ther employer's personal ocmputer without permission.

Bleatblurt · 01/02/2010 21:37

This is what happens when you're a slattern and have to pay someone to clean for you.

[joking, don't hurt me!]

AnyFucker · 01/02/2010 21:38

bb, bog off

Hulababy · 01/02/2010 21:38

Disiplinary could be anything from warning to dismissal. But discussion is needed first.

BrandyAlexander · 01/02/2010 21:54

Sorry, I simply wouldn't have anyone in my home that I couldnt trust, and invading my privacy is a breach of my trust. My previous cleaner stole a number of things from me over a traumatic period of time in my life. I didn't notice at first because I was distracted, by the time, I did, I was well out of pocket. I know it was her but didnt have the evidence to take it to the police. Hence I sacked her because i could no longer trust her. I didn't feel the need to discuss it in that example, and yes, in this situation, I would get a new cleaner.

AitchTwoOhOneOh · 01/02/2010 21:57

stealing is COMPLETELY different.

scottishmummy · 01/02/2010 22:01

cleaner betrayed trust.crossed the line.no extenuating circumstances

BrandyAlexander · 01/02/2010 22:06

stealing is different. However, the underlying issue of trust is the same. DH and I spent ages thinking the other had put one of the items somewhere in the house, because it didn't occur to us to consider the cleaner whom we trusted.

scottishmummy · 01/02/2010 22:10

the unfortunate repercussion is what else has she done....that in itself destabilises any goodwill.you shouldn't have to think that of anyone

and whether or not this as one off or frequent occurrence a trust has been irrevocably breached

RedbinDippers · 01/02/2010 22:11

Two things - she's on the net when she should be working, although if the work is up to scratch that may not be so important.
Personally I would not want a stranger rooting around my PC, there's too much personal and financial stuff there and my browsing history could be a bit embarrassing. Ask her to desist.

AnyFucker · 01/02/2010 22:20

we don't know that she was on FB when she was supposed to be working !

she could have briefly gone on at end of 2 hour shift

why do people keep banging on about "when she should have been working" ??

where is the OP, anyway ?

hf128219 · 01/02/2010 22:25

Has the OP viewed her history in detail and checked timings of use?

It's already been said but she may have had to send an urgent message/check a status update of a sick friend.

It was only Facebook - not some porn/illegal tobacco site.

AnyFucker · 01/02/2010 22:28

dunno hf, the Op seems to have bogged orf

NotAnOtter · 01/02/2010 22:29

have not read whole thread (sorry) but i would be cross. If you dare ( i wouldn't) i would tell her so!

scottishmummy · 01/02/2010 22:31

maybe she as sending a donation to haiti,or undertaking an altruistic act, or sending money to the orphanage,all on someone else pc

...god how could we all have gotten it so wrong. she's not bang out of order - she's a heroine

or more likey unauthorised use of pc and gassing on fb

hf128219 · 01/02/2010 22:31

I agree it's wrong fundamentally - but I wouldn't be too quick to judge.

Original poster
LaDiDaDi · 01/02/2010 23:23

AF, I've been back on twice to thank everyone for their views.

Discussed it with dp, he thinks that although it's a bit cheeky it's no big deal. He pointed out that she's got a key to our house so really going on the PC isn't that much of an issue.

I feel irritated because of the potential of her seeing my personal stuff rather than anything else.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 01/02/2010 23:28

you don't have to explain your mn whereabouts to anyone- up to you how and when you contribute

GetOrfMoiLand · 01/02/2010 23:40

How can going on facebook be deemed as something that may have been essential to do? She could have waited until she ws on her own PC, or used her phone.

I would not be very chirpy if a cleaner of mine (wishful thinking) went on my laptop as it has a load of personal stuff on which i would not want prying eyes to see. DD even is not allowed on it. It is mine and it is private.

(I don't run a porn webcam btw inacsee you think I protest too much )

I would be annoyed as it takes the piss, frankly. Crosses the line.

bibbitybobbityhat · 01/02/2010 23:44

Yanbu to be annoyed. Don't envy you the task of asking her not to do it again. I suppose you could always send her a message on facebook! .

scottishmummy · 01/02/2010 23:55

call her,stay calm,succinct,explain reasons.sack her

MattBellamysMuse · 01/02/2010 23:58

OP, can you check your browser's history to find out when she was on fb? then you'd know if she was on the web when she was supposed to be working.
I would not be happy about this. But I'd have a word with her rather than just sacking her on the spot.