simser
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 29, 2011 15:54:04 GMT -5
Posts: 798
|
Post by simser on Feb 24, 2014 17:16:08 GMT -5
If your house cleaner rearranged your fridge?
It really really bothers me that they did that without asking (moved everything around, stuck things in drawers- which are broken, hence why I don't).
This comes after I told them not to deal with a room but they consolidated all my well defined(to me) piles. And they rearranged where my treadmill was. And put my shoes on a chair so it took me 5 minutes to find them.
Am I right to be irritated? How do I make this not happen again?
|
|
Sam_2.0
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:42:45 GMT -5
Posts: 12,350
|
Post by Sam_2.0 on Feb 24, 2014 17:17:54 GMT -5
That is weird that they keep moving things around. Did they wipe out the fridge? Maybe they emptied shelves to wipe it out and didn't remember where things were before?
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Feb 24, 2014 17:22:13 GMT -5
If your house cleaner rearranged your fridge? It really really bothers me that they did that without asking (moved everything around, stuck things in drawers- which are broken, hence why I don't). This comes after I told them not to deal with a room but they consolidated all my well defined(to me) piles. And they rearranged where my treadmill was. And put my shoes on a chair so it took me 5 minutes to find them. Am I right to be irritated? How do I make this not happen again? I might, just might, be able to deal with the fridge, but if I had told them to leave a room alone and they didn't, I doubt I'd have had them back. Messing with my piles is a firing offense. (DH is lucky he's cute )
|
|
simser
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 29, 2011 15:54:04 GMT -5
Posts: 798
|
Post by simser on Feb 24, 2014 17:22:35 GMT -5
I guess they must have. But I kept a 12 pack of soda in the cardboard case- and that case is now gone (I hated the soda that's why I didn't move it myself). I keep a trivet in there in case I put something hot in there- and that's now on the counter. And you can't pull the broken drawer out- but now there's stuff in it.
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Feb 24, 2014 17:26:27 GMT -5
I guess they must have. But I kept a 12 pack of soda in the cardboard case- and that case is now gone (I hated the soda that's why I didn't move it myself). I keep a trivet in there in case I put something hot in there- and that's now on the counter. And you can't pull the broken drawer out- but now there's stuff in it. (sorry, can't post without quoting today) Yeah, I'd be annoyed.
|
|
simser
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 29, 2011 15:54:04 GMT -5
Posts: 798
|
Post by simser on Feb 24, 2014 17:27:12 GMT -5
Also I should mention that I didn't pay them- my company is currently providing it as a perk- so the choice is free cleaning where they are creating work and stress for me afterwards or no cleaning.
|
|
midjd
Administrator
Your Money Admin
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:09:23 GMT -5
Posts: 17,720
|
Post by midjd on Feb 24, 2014 17:28:40 GMT -5
How did they get things in the drawer if it's broken?
I'd just ask them what's going on - if they have a good explanation, ok, if not, let em go.
|
|
Blonde Granny
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 15, 2013 8:27:13 GMT -5
Posts: 6,919
Today's Mood: Alone in the world
Location: Wandering Aimlessly
Mini-Profile Name Color: 28e619
Mini-Profile Text Color: 3a9900
|
Post by Blonde Granny on Feb 24, 2014 17:30:55 GMT -5
When I had Merry Maids, I would have been delighted if they cleaned more than they should have.....in fact, I would have been delighted if they had actually cleaned anything. Guess that's why I fired them.
|
|
hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Feb 24, 2014 17:32:23 GMT -5
I realize I'm a huge racist for asking, but do they speak English? If they don't, I'd cut them some slack if I thought there could be a misunderstanding. If they clearly understood and did it anyways, i'd get rid of them. I don't need that hassle.
|
|
simser
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 29, 2011 15:54:04 GMT -5
Posts: 798
|
Post by simser on Feb 24, 2014 17:44:20 GMT -5
The drawer can only slide out about 2 inches before it falls. So I guess they only slid it that far?
They spoke English and I speak Spanish. I can flip languages if they look confused. But they answered my Spanish back in English.
|
|
sesfw
Junior Associate
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 15:45:17 GMT -5
Posts: 6,268
|
Post by sesfw on Feb 24, 2014 17:45:25 GMT -5
my company is currently providing it as a perk- so the choice is free cleaning where they are creating work and stress for me afterwards or no cleaning.
I would say thanks but no thanks. Not worth the added work and stress for me. I cleaned well enough to stay ahead of the health dept. when I was working full time. No point in the company paying for the service if I have to redo things.
|
|
wyouser
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 16:35:20 GMT -5
Posts: 12,126
|
Post by wyouser on Feb 24, 2014 18:32:53 GMT -5
I don't know about house cleaners doing that, but I can remember a number of "friends" always ready willing and anxious to get into your apartment to set a few surprises for you when you came home. You know, little things like short sheeted beds, booby trapped doors, surprises in drawers etc.
|
|
alabamagal
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 11:30:29 GMT -5
Posts: 8,147
|
Post by alabamagal on Feb 24, 2014 18:44:39 GMT -5
It would bother me big time.
Sometimes I don't want things rearranged or straightened up.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 8, 2024 20:16:22 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2014 18:54:15 GMT -5
I'm having similar issues. I had the same cleaner for 15+ years and now I have a new one.
I realize that unlike me, you probably didn't have a former cleaner who knew exactly what to do, and when to do it.
But, did you give this person any instructions? If you did, then you're entitled to feel pissed off if the person didn't follow them. But I'm guessing you didn't, and they did their best and tried to do well. ETA: For the fridge, it sounds like they decided to make the effort hoping you'd be happy. For the papers, apparently you did ... either they misunderstood, or decided to do it anyway. Personally, I'd still give them another chance (after reminding them NOT to touch my papers).
Personally I think it's not fair to fire them just because they did something you didn't like, once, or even twice (unless you'd addressed that specific issue) but that's just me.
It's nice that your job is providing this perk, but it doesn't mean you can't get in touch with the person, and talk to them, and / or give them a list, or even take an hour or two off and show them what you want done and how.
Also, honestly goes a LONG way in a job like that. If the person is honest, I'd definitely give them another chance.
ETA: It's like any relationship ... it takes a while to settle in. I certainly wouldn't fire them based on what you posted here, I'd try to clarify things. If that didn't work, then yes, fire them if you want, and you'd rather do it all yourself.
But I want a cleaner and the new one cleans MUCH better than the old one did, even if she did do things that pissed me off initially. Although it took me a while, I realized I had / have to invest a bit of time and effort into the relationship, and I've decided to do it.
I don't expect my cleaners to read my mind, and we all realized we had unrealistic expectations after the last one. Tt's (hopefully) a long-term relationship, so you might have to invest a bit more time / effort into it than you initially thought.
|
|
simser
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 29, 2011 15:54:04 GMT -5
Posts: 798
|
Post by simser on Feb 24, 2014 19:03:28 GMT -5
I feel like maybe I should have told them more- but it would have never crossed my mind that they would touch my fridge. That's crazy!
I did tell them not to touch a room. When I saw that they did I lost it (privately, and that's a whole nother story that is basically why I asked the question. I had no idea if I was reasonable...) so I would have been unable to continue to voice things.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 8, 2024 20:16:22 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2014 19:08:42 GMT -5
Simser, frankly, I don't get why you think it's crazy that they touched your fridge. I'm sure they were trying to help.
If you specifically told them not to touch a room, and they did, that's another issue. I'd tell them one more time, for sure. Or, if it's easier, lock the door to that room.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 8, 2024 20:16:22 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2014 19:10:00 GMT -5
When I had a housekeeper cleaning the fridge was one of the once monthly tasks. It got rotated with cleaning the oven, washing the windows and something else, I forget exactly what now. I would put my instructions in writing, keep a copy, give them a copy and go over it with them.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 8, 2024 20:16:22 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2014 19:14:31 GMT -5
I think putting it in writing is a great idea (including DON'T TOUCH X ROOM). My cleaner actually ASKED me for a written list. Yours probably has several clients and maybe she is getting them confused.
I'm finding this thread sort of funny in that our posts probably speak to how badly each of us wants a cleaner. I definitely do, so I decided to make some efforts / invest some time with the new one.
Maybe you're totally indifferent, and it's not worth your time.
|
|
dannylion
Junior Associate
Gravity is a harsh mistress
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 12:17:52 GMT -5
Posts: 5,212
Location: Miles over the madness horizon and accelerating
|
Post by dannylion on Feb 24, 2014 19:14:52 GMT -5
I'd be annoyed if they did something I had told them not to do. I would not necessarily be annoyed the first time they did something if it was not something they had been told not to do.
On the other hand, my Dad's cleaning lady took it upon herself to inspect his fridge every week and throw out all the old dead stuff. But he was 92. He appreciated her vigilance.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 8, 2024 20:16:22 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2014 19:19:20 GMT -5
The drawer can only slide out about 2 inches before it falls. So I guess they only slid it that far? They spoke English and I speak Spanish. I can flip languages if they look confused. But they answered my Spanish back in English. have we entered bizarro world?
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 8, 2024 20:16:22 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2014 19:25:14 GMT -5
I think you need to get them to not touch that room, and, ideally, consolidate what's verboten in that room, ie don't touch my desk, and / or my shelves.
Because frankly, I can't imagine how it wouldn't be worth a bit more clarification on your part to have somebody wash your floors and your kitchen and your bathroom, vacuum, and change your sheets, especially if you're not even paying for it.
This said, I think the easiest solution would be to lock the door to what (I'm guessing) is your office, or put a "DO NOT ENTER" sign up, in both English and Spanish.
That should solve the problem.
|
|
tskeeter
Junior Associate
Joined: Mar 20, 2011 19:37:45 GMT -5
Posts: 6,831
|
Post by tskeeter on Feb 25, 2014 16:34:08 GMT -5
I feel like maybe I should have told them more- but it would have never crossed my mind that they would touch my fridge. That's crazy! I did tell them not to touch a room. When I saw that they did I lost it (privately, and that's a whole nother story that is basically why I asked the question. I had no idea if I was reasonable...) so I would have been unable to continue to voice things. Simser, if you're losing your cool over stuff being moved around while where you live is being cleaned, I think you're working too hard. Truly minor inconveniences, such as the butter being moved or a pair of shoes left on a chair, shouldn't be freaking you out like this. The cleaning crew did a very thorough job, including the fridge. As they cleaned the fridge, they consolidated the fridge contents on a shelf or two while they cleaned other shelves and didn't get stuff back where you had it. It's a refrigerator. If it started in the fridge, it's probably still in the fridge. You can fairly easily see most of the items on the four or six shelves, and there are only a couple of drawers to check for what you want. So, they picked up a pair of shoes while they vacuummed the floor and forgot to put them back where they came from. They were sitting in the open on a chair. Were they really that hard to find? Are these really firing offenses? I understand that re-arranging your piles of paper is a bigger deal. I also pile, and know exactly where in each pile certiain items are. Re-arrange my piles and you've fouled up my filing system. I'd consider this a lesson in why you don't rely on verbal instructions. The person you told can screw up. Another person, who may not be aware of the instructions, may be helping and "clean" something you told the other person to leave alone. So, goof proof to minimize the chances that something other than what you want will be done. Lock the door. Tape a post it note to the door with do not clean instructions. Sit down, take a deep breath, and chill out. If having to re-sort several stacks of paper is the biggest problem you had today, you had a pretty darn good day.
|
|
sarcasticgirl
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 14:39:51 GMT -5
Posts: 5,155
Location: Chicago
|
Post by sarcasticgirl on Feb 25, 2014 16:42:36 GMT -5
It annoys me when DH rearranges things in the fridge... so yeah, it would bother me.
But then again if they cleaned my house, I might make an exception.
|
|
violagirl
Familiar Member
Joined: Aug 17, 2011 11:04:54 GMT -5
Posts: 703
|
Post by violagirl on Feb 25, 2014 21:04:04 GMT -5
Every week we always have this conversation:
Husband: Where are my glasses? Me: I dunno. Husband: "She" put them away somewhere. grumble grumble Me: Did you check in that drawer? Husband: Not there. I can never find my glasses after she is here. More grumbling. Find them in a place WE wouldn't think to put glasses, but obviously it made sense to an organized mind.
Today I found a bunch of clothes that I've been looking for - neatly folded and put away where I wouldn't think to put them. But they are no longer in basket in the hallway, so can I complain? If it is a big deal, I would ask her not to do it, but it is like asking your husband to do something - like folding towels. Even though he does it completely different (ie "wrong) - let it go, they are folded.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 8, 2024 20:16:22 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2014 21:17:27 GMT -5
I would ask for an explanation as to why your cleaning list was altered, first.
If you are dissatisfied with the response, but trust them in your home, give them a warning and maybe a second chance. But let it be clearly known, if you feel to, there will be no third chance if the same thing occur again.
|
|
simser
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 29, 2011 15:54:04 GMT -5
Posts: 798
|
Post by simser on Feb 25, 2014 23:49:48 GMT -5
So I wanted to address a couple of points. 1) the losing it was related to the PTSD I have from my marriage. Cleanliness and that I wasn't clean enough was a huge thing and a large part of why I was a "terrible person whom God is smiting". So I recognize that I'm already slightly off on this topic. It's part of the reason I asked the question. I honestly don't know if this is normal or not. It's not actually due to work stress. 2) I actually grew up with a house cleaner. She never touched any of the piles or the fridge or stuck stuff in drawers or moved furniture. I want her! But she lives 2500 miles away- a bit far So I wasn't expecting anything other than that. And I've had a couple of other one time house cleaners and they've acted more like her. I guess my expectations were off. 3) I don't think I'll have this perk for too much longer so it's not a huge issue. I cancelled March's cleaning already (I wanted to have painters instead) so I was down to one visit before my mom got here. I complained to the company that hired them, mostly because things got rediculous. It took me 5 minutes this morning to find my hair brush and my deodorant because they chose to put it in a random drawer. I can't play "find the crap" in my own house when I'm rushed in the mornings. And I actually asked if I could just have a different service. The cleaning before my mom will have to be all organized anyway and I guess I'll just trail them to make sure they put stuff back. Annoying but what can you do? 4) of course I speak Spanish. This is Arizona
|
|
tloonya
Junior Associate
What status?
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 16:22:13 GMT -5
Posts: 8,452
|
Post by tloonya on Feb 26, 2014 12:08:12 GMT -5
If your house cleaner rearranged your fridge? It really really bothers me that they did that without asking (moved everything around, stuck things in drawers- which are broken, hence why I don't). This comes after I told them not to deal with a room but they consolidated all my well defined(to me) piles. And they rearranged where my treadmill was. And put my shoes on a chair so it took me 5 minutes to find them. Am I right to be irritated? How do I make this not happen again? I am not the best source...but I would yell at them, you know...like 'who ta fk ask you to move my food around?' etc...
|
|
tloonya
Junior Associate
What status?
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 16:22:13 GMT -5
Posts: 8,452
|
Post by tloonya on Feb 26, 2014 12:10:31 GMT -5
I realize I'm a huge racist for asking, but do they speak English? If they don't, I'd cut them some slack if I thought there could be a misunderstanding. If they clearly understood and did it anyways, i'd get rid of them. I don't need that hassle. Get rid of them like ? Living on the edge, hoops
|
|
Shooby
Senior Associate
Joined: Jan 17, 2013 0:32:36 GMT -5
Posts: 14,782
Mini-Profile Name Color: 1cf04f
|
Post by Shooby on Feb 27, 2014 7:30:47 GMT -5
I would not mind the fridge being rearranged at all. And, I think some housekeepers kind of do that which shows that they did their work. Nor would I mind some of the big stuff being rearranged as part of cleaning. However, nothing in my drawers should be touched or moved in anyway. They have no business getting into your dressers, cabinets, etc. To me, that would seem a bit suspicious.
|
|
milee
Senior Associate
Joined: Jan 17, 2012 13:20:00 GMT -5
Posts: 12,344
|
Post by milee on Feb 27, 2014 9:38:51 GMT -5
I feel like maybe I should have told them more- but it would have never crossed my mind that they would touch my fridge. That's crazy! I did tell them not to touch a room. When I saw that they did I lost it (privately, and that's a whole nother story that is basically why I asked the question. I had no idea if I was reasonable...) so I would have been unable to continue to voice things. Simser, if you're losing your cool over stuff being moved around while where you live is being cleaned, I think you're working too hard. Truly minor inconveniences, such as the butter being moved or a pair of shoes left on a chair, shouldn't be freaking you out like this. The cleaning crew did a very thorough job, including the fridge. As they cleaned the fridge, they consolidated the fridge contents on a shelf or two while they cleaned other shelves and didn't get stuff back where you had it. It's a refrigerator. If it started in the fridge, it's probably still in the fridge. You can fairly easily see most of the items on the four or six shelves, and there are only a couple of drawers to check for what you want. So, they picked up a pair of shoes while they vacuummed the floor and forgot to put them back where they came from. They were sitting in the open on a chair. Were they really that hard to find? Are these really firing offenses? I understand that re-arranging your piles of paper is a bigger deal. I also pile, and know exactly where in each pile certiain items are. Re-arrange my piles and you've fouled up my filing system. I'd consider this a lesson in why you don't rely on verbal instructions. The person you told can screw up. Another person, who may not be aware of the instructions, may be helping and "clean" something you told the other person to leave alone. So, goof proof to minimize the chances that something other than what you want will be done. Lock the door. Tape a post it note to the door with do not clean instructions. Sit down, take a deep breath, and chill out. If having to re-sort several stacks of paper is the biggest problem you had today, you had a pretty darn good day. Skeeter,
I agree that none of this should warrant a freak out and from what Simser is saying I don't think she freaked out at the maids, she's just using us as a sounding board. How she deals with this with the maids is a different issue than the basic idea of whether or not this is an issue at all.
You think it's reasonable to be concerned about the maids moving the piles of paper yet you think it's no biggie to move things in the refrigerator. I'm guessing either you don't do most of the cooking in your house or that you don't organize your refrigerator. But for people who do most of the cooking in their house and arrange their 'fridge just like they arrange their piles of paper (I'm guilty of both, so hear me out on this one...) there's no difference. I arrange my 'fridge in a way that not only can I quickly find things, but I know what's been in there the longest, what needs to be used up first, what's not to be eaten for snacks since it's going to be used as an ingredient for dinner, etc. Just like the piles of paper system that you seem to understand is a "system".
So, while it's reasonable that not everyone has the same system - or heck, any system - of arranging their refrigerator, it's reasonable that for a person that does have a system, moving things around is disruptive. Just like you know exactly where in each pile certain items are and if those are rearranged someone has fouled up your filing system, it sounds like Simser does something similar in her 'fridge, so it's the same type of issue. Either both are a problem or neither is, but you can't conclude because one doesn't bother you personally that it's OK, while the other is a problem because you personally think it is.
But it's not worth freaking out over either one. If the maids were going to continue to come over, I'd probably handle it by just making a list in advance and leaving the list with them, making sure they understand that you just want them to do the things on the list and nothing else.
|
|