Would you hire a cleaning lady who is a smoker?

[mkksmom]

I hired 2 ladies to organize my basement, and I really enjoyed working with them. They also have a cleaning business. I could use help like once a month, but I have one hang-up. They both took smoke breaks while working. They go out to the car, and they use Purelle afterward. I guess I could ask them to use soap and water as a start. I worry about the chemicals they bring into my home, but I really love them otherwise. So I'm stuck. I do allow my FIL in my house of course, and he doesn't even use Purelle. However, this is less than once per month and a loved one, so of course he is welcome. Any thoughts?

I have a 7 year-old and an almost 3 year-old, so no infants.

[JamieCatheryn]

I couldn't because I choke if I'm around anyone who has smoked recently, even if they washed up. I mean, a few friends come over very rarely who smoke outside, but I'm not paying them.

[mkksmom]

I'm still undecided. For now, I'm just trying to keep up with it on my own.

[talia rose]

never
 

[proudMoMmy2634]

No, but if they are that lovable yu have the right to telll them not to smoke when they are in your house. Cigarrette smoke is not a good thing specially for the non-smokers!

[nyssaneala]

Definitely not. No matter how much I liked them.

[SweetSilver]

Yes, I would.  

As a professional housekeeper, I get to hear all the stories about other housekeepers my clients have tried.  Theft and complete inadequacy are common problems.  If you can find a good one-- reliable, thorough, efficient, honest, straightforward, hardworking, personable-- you've got a keeper.  It's not like she lives there with her smoking habits.

So, absolutely hands down YES!

[CarrieMF]

nope because I would smell the smoke after they were gone.

[mkksmom]

I agree that it's tough to find a good housekeeper! They do go out to their cars when they smoke. I should have mentioned that, because smoking in my house is a deal-breaker for me. My FIL goes outside, even when we visit his house. I'd be sick if he didn't, but more importantly, I don't want the kids breathing it in. It's more the smoke/chemicals on their hands/clothing that concerns me. My almost 3 year-old is starting a playgroup/preschool class in Sept twice a week. It's only 2 hours, but hopefully it will be enough to let me stay on top of things. I have another lady that comes with a whole lot of drama-- keeps me waiting for hours and just unprofessional.

[SweetSilver]

Originally Posted by mkksmom 

 I have another lady that comes with a whole lot of drama-- keeps me waiting for hours and just unprofessional.

There is a lot of that going around.  That's why smoking is so low on the scale of importance for me.  

Not sure about clothes, but her hands are either in gloves to keep them from cracking from cleaners and excess water, or in the water she uses for cleaning.  I use a lot more water when I work than others might because I do more scrubbing.  Still, her hands will be around a towel on one side.  Except for dusting and cleaning underneath, or sheets if she changes them, there is probably very little she will touch of *yours* with her bare, unwashed and smoky hands.  Watch her work.  What does she do, soon after her smoke break?

[myk]

no way. the smoke stench lingers and gives me headaches, asthma attacks, etc.

[K1329]

Yes. After all, they're not smoking in your home. No different than a waitress who takes a smoke break before bringing you your meal, or, a hairdresser who smokes before cutting your hair, in my opinion.

[APToddlerMama]

Yes, definitely. I might open a window or something after they left but doubtful because they wouldn't be actually smoking in the house. I'm super conscious about chemicals in my home. My baby (who bed shares over half the time) is in an embarrassingly expensive crib with an embarrassingly expensive chemical free mattress, (same with our mattress and my other ds), I try not to bring anything in the house with harsh chemical (vinyl, some plastics, mdf wood) but wouldn't think twice about having a smoker in my home as long as they weren't smoking and the smell wasn't apparent.

[CarrieMF]

If I was at a restaurant and could smell smoke on a server I *may* ask for someone else, depending on circumstances on how often she is around & such.  It WOULD influence whether I went back while she was there.

I would stop going to a hairdresser who smells of smoke.

It disgusts me to drive by our local hospital since they started making staff & patients walk out to the sidewalk to smoke.  

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by CarrieMF 

If I was at a restaurant and could smell smoke on a server I *may* ask for someone else, depending on circumstances on how often she is around & such.  It WOULD influence whether I went back while she was there.

I would stop going to a hairdresser who smells of smoke.

It disgusts me to drive by our local hospital since they started making staff & patients walk out to the sidewalk to smoke.  

This.  My home is a 'smoke free' zone.  Unfortunetly my son has severe asthma and any smoke could send him to the ER.  Having a cleaning lady who chooses to smoke would be unacceptable.  Having a hairdresser or waitstaff who smokes has the same affect on him.

[Mulvah]

Very likely not, as there are other reputable places to choose from around here.

[ocelotmom]

I'd be willing to at least give it a try, as long as they weren't smoking in or immediately next to the house. I work with people who smoke, often in close quarters, and would never guess that they smoked if they didn't mention it.

Leaving cigarette smell around the house would be a dealbreaker, though.

[kt~mommy]

my initial response was no. but my brother smokes, but only outdoors... i think if they are outdoor smokers they would not stink much at all (except their breath probably) as opposed to if they smoked inside their home or car and so their hair and clothes smelled of smoke. If they smelled like smoke i would not hire them; if they did not (and i agree about your hand wash rule vs using hand sanitizer only), then i'd be ok with it.

[tightwaderin]

Never.  Maybe I have a sensitive nose but smokers always smell.  Clothes and breath.

[Storm Bride]

I'd hire them. Honestly, the cleaners most companies use (not saying these ladies do) would worry me more than having someone who smokes in my house. I wouldn't let them smoke in the house, but I wouldn't have a problem with them, since they smoke outdoors.