One of the worst homes we cleaned was for a guy who had some 'behavioral issues'as well as some physical limitations. The first time I was there with my cleaning crew, he became verbally belligerent and began throwing things...not little things, but stereo equipment type things! He was a heavy chain smoker, wasn't particularly familiar with the essentials like soap & water, and didn't like the windows open. It was awful, not to mention dangerous to your health!
The next day I told the boss lady that I would not be going back there, and explained why. To my amazement she, acted as if I had just commented on the weather! The other gals who had accompanied me on the job collaborated my story. Nothing more was said about it that day.
I noticed some subtle changes over the next couple of weeks, but nothing drastic. I was actively seeking other employment!
One day I was told by a co-worker that the boss was "making" me go back to the abusive guy's house. Sure enough, upon arriving at work the following morning, in front of all of my co-workers, she states...like I hadn't already told her..."I hear you don't want to go back to 'so and so's' house. I called him and he apologized for his behavior."
While listening to her and absorbing the vibes in the room, I noticed an extra employee standing off to the side...hummm, set up? Yep, that's exactly what she was doing. If I had refused to go, she would have sent me home and sent the extra gal out with my team. Wow...as I sized up the situation in what seemed like a blink of an eye, I smiled and said "hey, we all have bad days, I'd be willing to give the guy another chance, provided there are no further incidents like what we experienced last time!"
Oops! She hesitated briefly, handed us our assignments, and announced to the extra gal that she'd be staying with her that day.
Poor thing, that meant that she'd be cleaning the boss's house all day...and dealing with her two children!
The games had begun...but I did not want to engage with this woman, good grief!
Meanwhile, a gal had been given three days off without pay for being too slow! She had been with the company for more than 10 years and had not once missed a day of work. All the other gals were upset as they felt the boss was picking on this gal and trying to get her to quit! Noone seemed to know why.
Every day was an adventure with harrassing phone calls and two-ways from the boss lady...all day long. She'd complain that we weren't getting the houses done quickly enough, but never hesitated to keep us on the phone listening to her rantings.
The following day, I show up for work, notice the extra gal again and think..."great, what's she up to this time?"
I soon found out. I was to stay behind and clean the boss's house today, wonderful! Keep in mind that it had just been cleaned the day before, how difficult could it be, right? Wrong, nightmare!
She says to me "get your supplies and equipment and meet me at my place." I soon joined her, after entering the house I find her sitting in a dark room, nursing her child. No big deal...although the kid is pushing three years old!
She wanted to talk to me and invited me to take a seat. The next couple of hours were spent by her telling me all the things she thought were wrong with me!
Lets see, I didn't follow directions, I was rude and arrogant, I complained about the work and I asked too many questions.
When I asked for specific examples, she conjured up some of the most creatively revised responses I could have ever imagined. Not one was based in fact, and if anything, was completely taken out of context.
This was to be my penance for my transgressions I supposed. I spent the next six hours washing walls & ceilings and scrubbing her bathroom tile floor grout with straight amonia and a toothbrush. Oh, did I mention that the the window was broke, i.e. no fresh air. Yeah, it was a great day.
First she tells me to "find dirt and clean it", then she wanted to show me how to vacuum furniture and drapes, then clean venetien blinds, than back to the walls...oh and a lunch break with her two little darlings! The kids were grabbing the attachments, throwing things at me and generally behaving as I'd expect based on the manipulative role model their mother was! A very sad state of affairs indeed!
At the end of the day, I was absolutely numb with amazement...and a bit light headed from the fumes, that I had ended up in this place with this crazy woman.
I had a few days off coming up to do some job hunting...stay tuned for end of the story.
POST A COMMENTDharmadee(08/02/2006)
WOW! It is just amazing to me how these idiots get into power positions...It is obvious to me that the problem here is that you are a far better person than your current boss, in probably every way. You challenged her, and she is now out to "put you in your place." You are better, you are smarter and you are very intuitive-go get a better job!
Meanlittleredhead(08/05/2006)
OMG! You have got a will better than me. You are a wall of strength! I do not know how you put up with that.I would have walked out. Straight amonia in a closed off house with children? I would have called CPS (Child protective services) right there.Good luck witht the job hunt. You must get paid well at the cleaning job to have put up with all that.
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