NDA for cleaning job?

[LeonieS]

Does that seem a bit bizarre? I must sign a NDA alongside my contract if I accept the job. It’s literally just cleaning vacant properties so I won’t be around any sensitive information at all. It wasn’t mentioned at the interview either.

In all my years working in various positions, some of which I was responsible of highly confidential information, I have never been asked to sign a NDA. I really would like the job but I’m a bit concerned about why I would need to sign an NDA.

Have you asked the employer why they want you to sign this?

Probably to stop people gossiping about their work.

We got a cleaner in while we were on honeymoon - DHs friends wife who had her own business. We paid the proper rate for a one off deep clean while we were away. We heard from five separate people that she'd bitched about the state of the house to them, how dirty we were, how untidy the house was etc.

I was absolutely furious - it has been left completely tidy for her as she was being paid to clean - not to tidy for us, but obv I hadn't hoovered the day we left and AI didn't have leave washing up or anything like that our for her to deal with. The house was not that bad, but we wanted to treat ourselves to a nice clean house on return. She said 8hrs was plenty of time to do the whole (small, mid terraced) house including bathroom, kitchen, floors, under furniture, skirting boards etc. Half of it hadn't been done, the stairs weren't hoovered, and the whole place smelled weirdly stale even though I'd provided the equipment and products for use so I've no idea what happened.

Needless to say, she's not been back in here and I find it difficult to speak to her when we see them in the street. Several times her name has come up amongst people who have had her in to clean for the same bitching about other people's homes and I know she's been let go from at least 3 homes for the same thing. How she stays in business in such a small community is beyond me.

So yes, an NDA could be very innocuous and set up to protect the company name. It doesn't have to mean you'll be clearing up after sex parties or seeing drugs being used (although I guess it depends on where you are cleaning!).

I guess it’s a security risk if you told people about vacant properties (eg squatters)

I’ve only just received and gone through all the paperwork, but I’ll give them a call first tomorrow to see what it’s for.

It’s not residential properties, but holiday properties. I will only be going in to deep clean them before the next people go in so it will be empty of anyone’s personal things.

RedCarsGoFaster That’s really awful!