cleaner refuses to wear mask

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sammysquirrel
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cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby sammysquirrel » Sat Feb 27, 2021 12:44 pm

Bit of a tricky one but my cleaner who has been with us for several years has returned recently but won't wear a mask.

She says that 'she is healthy' and her other clients 'aren't afraid of her' I also asked her yesterday if she had been vaccinated, thinking that maybe that was the reason she didn't want to wear a mask but she said no and she won't be vaccinated as 'she is healthy' Not sure what to do but feel very uncomfortable about having her here. Yesterday I went around opening windows everywhere only to find that she had closed them.

I feel that I should be asking her to leave but wanted to ask if I am overreacting?
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chorister
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby chorister » Sat Feb 27, 2021 3:43 pm

Very tricky, but there seems to me to be no reason why you should expose yourself to an avoidable / mitigatable risk in your own home.  However if you like her and want a long term solution then perhaps lay her off (either paid, part paid or not paid, you decide) until you have all been vaccinated.  And if there are others in your household who may be vulnerable, then it would seem very sensible not to admit her.

And perhaps try to explore why she opposes vaccination and see if she will get in touch with any organisation that might advise her - it looks as if vaccine passports of some sort are going to be a certainty, so in any event her life will be impacted unless she changes her mind.
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Frog1
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby Frog1 » Sat Feb 27, 2021 6:34 pm

We had to dismiss a cleaner for this exact reasons. She then got angry and told me we were silly for believing it all. Needless to say the whole thing ended acrimoniously. We now have a lovely cleaner who wears a mask, we wear a mask around her too and we open all the windows, etc. She also gels her hands all the time and it all feels a lot safer.
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HeB
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby HeB » Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:48 pm

I am not allowed to work in my office without wearing a mask. That is entirely reasonable and I do not see why the same wouldn’t apply to your cleaner. It is a different matter to being vaccinated - that is much trickier to navigate. I would simply tell her that you would be grateful if she could wear a mask and keep windows open while she works in your home and that it is not personal, it is for her protection as well as yours. Or do as others have suggested (and what I have personally done but for other reasons) which is pay her but ask her not to come until rates have gone down to a level you are comfortable with.
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chorister
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby chorister » Sun Feb 28, 2021 9:33 am

HeB wrote: Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:48 pmIt is a different matter to being vaccinated - that is much trickier to navigate.

I'm not suggesting that the cleaner should have to be vaccinated, but wait until the employer and everyone else in the house has been - then the risk is hugely reduced for them.  However if the cleaner is suspicious of vaccination then I think it's a good plan to advise her to get more information and advice.
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Newmumlondon
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby Newmumlondon » Sun Feb 28, 2021 8:15 pm

I had exactly the same problem. Finally I said she has to wear a mask, full stop. I said I am not risking my health as I am vulnerable. She reluctantly agreed. A couple of weeks later she told me there was an outbreak of COVID in her child’s nursery. She also told me she could have had COVID with his symptoms in the past.
She wears her mask regularly now and we are all happy. We make sure we leave the rooms where she works though.
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ronangel
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby ronangel » Mon Mar 01, 2021 5:51 am

See what doctors say about which type of mask is the best to use, and why.http://www.ssrichardmontgomery.com/down ... chmask.mp4

Note: it takes a minimum of five weeks for any vaccine to prevent a person from getting the virus or giving it to someone else! See here!
NHS info on the vaccine. And contraindications may forget to tell you about.?
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... tclean.pdf
 You leave yourself open to legal action to sack her for not getting vaccinated or refusing to employ someone on the grounds that they have not been vaccinated. The vaccine is classed as experimental having not been tested for two years under WHO rules and international law since WWII so can only be given to some that have given informed consent. Legal minefield!
OPEN LETTER re VACCINATION MANDATES BY EMPLOYERS FOR EMPLOYEES OR POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES
Your legal rights in the UK regarding vaccines and employment.
http://www.ssrichardmontgomery.com/down ... rights.pdf
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nsllee
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby nsllee » Mon Mar 01, 2021 7:05 am

I would not use her again if she continues to refuse to wear a mask. I find her attitude quite unreasonable. Just say it makes you uncomfortable and that once your whole family is vaccinated you'll be happy to book her again.
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Sueby
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby Sueby » Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:01 am

Absolutely insist on a mask. With new variants popping up all the time it’s important for your family . I would get a new cleaner. As for not believing in vaccination that too would really infuriate me and I couldn’t employ someone with that attitude. As someone said it’s not law but it’s gross stupidity.
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Scottov
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby Scottov » Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:22 am

Ignoring the fact that there is no evidence at all that masks work, you are in breach of the equalities act 2010 by even asking

You have no legal right, and can be held accountable, for questioning her right to an exemption on any basis

Stop being an interfering so and so, and get back in your box 😇
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sammysquirrel
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby sammysquirrel » Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:23 am

Thanks so much everyone. I will ask her again to wear a mask and if she won't I think I will ask her to stand down until we have been vaccinated and feel safer. I just don't feel safe at the moment. Things are too precarious. Regarding her choice not to vaccinate I think it is up to her. I only mentioned it as I thought she wasn't wearing a mask as she might have thought she and we were protected. Thanks again everyone. Glad I'n not overreacting.
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wildatheart
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby wildatheart » Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:59 am

It's your house and your health. I wouldn't dream of having a cleaner in my house without a mask and risking my health and that of my family. I have workers coming in my house and they all wear masks.
My job requires us to wear a mask.
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stevehall
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby stevehall » Mon Mar 01, 2021 10:08 am

Surprised that you are even concerned about it. 

Your house - your rules. 

If l were you, the next time she arrives at the door, l'd offer her a fresh mask. If she refuses to wear it for the duration of her work, l would say, "Goodbye, l will contact you again once the crisis is over. Ciao." 

I would absolutely not get into ANY discussion about the virus or the vaccine. 

Your house - your rules. 

(From someone who has been in hospital 15 weeks. I guarantee that you do not want to follow me.) 
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Mumof4littlemonsters
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby Mumof4littlemonsters » Mon Mar 01, 2021 10:16 am

Just wondering if you all that are saying yes to masks would you also ask a nanny. I have a nanny that I know also has a few housemates who are also nannies but I wouldn’t dream of asking her to wear a mask for 12 hours a day so couldn’t really ask a cleaner either. As someone above said the masks also are pretty pointless. My PERSONAL OPINION is that they do more harm than good. Masks make me feel very dizzy and having 4 children with me I’d rather not starting feeling dizzy having a baby strapped to me and a toddler in hand too.
Also the vaccine is a different ball game. That should also be a personal choice, as we know it doesn’t stop you from getting or even spreading the virus, masks and social distance is needed after vaccine too. I understand for the vulnerable and old but I actually think young and healthy people should not be made to take it. The risk with the vaccine are huge. The vaers website has already recorded more than 1000 deaths and many more reactions. So it’s really up to the individual to make their own choice.
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EvenBetterAnnabel
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Re: cleaner refuses to wear mask

Postby EvenBetterAnnabel » Mon Mar 01, 2021 10:37 am

Hey OP,

Have you considered cleaning your home yourself?

It doesn’t take that long to do. It’s a house, not a town.

xoxo
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