[chosker]

We have a VERY awkward situation at the moment.

One of our clients, youngish - late 20's I think has been trying it on with our cleaners. The contract is in his wife's name and we are doing everything we can to drop this client. We sent a new cleaner to him a couple of weeks ago as a cover and he called up the office and asked if he could have her for a regular cleaner. Now 'cos we know what this client is like, we have always given him older ladies or men, but as it was cover she was young and attractive. So we called his wife and subtely said '' oh i hear you're not happy with X and want to take on Y regularly''... the woman's not stupid, I'm sure she knows whats been going on...
Anyway, called the cover cleaner and she said that this guy had propositioned her, been talking about the size of, erm, mens packages, and then had told her that his last cleaner used to strip for him and pose for photos (first we heard  : ) !!!

As its happened on a few occasions we have simply told the wife that we are unable to supply her with a cleaner cos there are none at the moment. A few mins later the guy calls in wanting to know why we can't supply him and asking what the cleaner has said...

Guy gives me the creeps... Any ideas on how to deal with this anyone?

Cheers!

[Dean Aspects]

Tell his wife what has been happening and that as a result with the safety of your staff you can no longer offer a service to them and i would also sugjest the cleaner makes a formal complaint against the man as things could be worse for the next person that goes there

Dean

[chosker]

I have been thinking about telling the wife, as if they get another company someone else could get accosted! Problem is, the last cleaner doesn't want us to say anything as she doesn't want him calling her up and/or harrassing her.

Also, apprently the wife sacked one of the cleaners because of the naked photos that apprently she found... i.e. she knows what he is like... would telling her make any difference at all?

G'argh!

Claire

[*Chris Browne]

For your business's sake and your staffs sake.........pull out.

[Dean Aspects]

Unfortunately as you know of the problem you have a duty of care to do something about it and how would you feel if you read in the papers that something has happened act now and be strong
Be official about it and write a letter or go around and arrange a meeting you cannot allow it to go on i
It might all be a misunderstanding but how will you know unless you take positive action

Dean

[chosker]

Unfortunately, it's definately not a misunderstanding... its the third complaint we have had.

We will definately drop him - will probably just say no-one available and we're not recruiting (yeah right, lol!) at the moment and give him a refund for the end of the contract.

My main worry though is if he does go to another company they wont be aware for the first few times and could send someone in who is naive and can't handle herself.
I may annonymously call the wife and say very quickly that her hubbie has been trying it on with the cleaners and hang up... yup. .. i'm spineless! But like I said... it seems like she already knows... strange relationship they must have... either that or she REALLY loves him and wont face it.
Silly moo!

[mr klean]

I would also pull out of this contract, As employers we have a responsibility to keep our staff safe and free from this type of abuse.

If your staff do not wish to complain or take action, i would still suggest putting all evidence onto paper and supplying it to the person that took out the contract with you informing  her that for your staffs safety and your companys reputation you are unable to provide a service.

Sexual harrassment is still an offence
Dave
 

[turneylogan]

Claire,

Simply pull your staff out and send a letter to the wife with whom you have the contract stating that as you have had three complaints with regards to her husband treatment of your staff you have no option but to terminate your service in order to protect your employees. That way you protect yourself and at the same time hopefully prevent others getting the same treatment.

Do not get involved with any further arguments.

Turney

[steve doyle]

agree with turney.

make sure the letter gets to the wife tho' phone if you need to tell her to expect it.

[chosker]

We have already dropped the client, they know the reason I'm sure but haven't commented.

The cleaners don't want us to follow this through any further. I called the local police station for advice last night and they said that unless the cleaners come forward there isn't a lot that they can do, but that we wont be held liable or anything... it is the cleaner's choice not to take it further.

All our notes are audit trailed... we have not gone into vast amounts of details, mostly cos we try and keep things subtle (for dpa reasons in case they ever ask to say their file - not that they ever do!) but it is all there for future reference.

As to telling other agencies, I think that is a really good idea, but what are the legalities? If it's not proven (ie gone through court) then can't it be slander or something?

[Art]

If you've dropped the client and the cleaner doesn't want to make a statement then it's finished with.

Telling other companies will only lead to more problems like, as you say slander.

Put it down to experience and forget about it

Arthur

[chosker]

Thanks Art - would definately not want to get in trouble with the law when we're only wanting to look out for people!

Thanks everyone for the various advice... will probably just leave as it is at the moment unless any of the cleaners change their minds.

C x