Foul Mouthed Workman Keeps Causing Problem

[Mosaic]

Not sure what to do about this. Our lovely neighbours have a nuisance window cleaner. I've had to ask him in the past not to plant his ladders on my front garden without asking first - I like to be asked, I don't like looking up and seeing some ladders across my front bay. Today I heard a crunching noise outsdie and looked out to find him standing on a wooden trough-shaped planter to reach their windows. He shouted and swore at me, saying it's no problem and he'd pay for it anyway if he damaged it.

I really hate being sworn at, it provokes a very bad fight or flight reaction in me and I'm still very shakey and want to both cry my eyes out and also terminate the bullying lump of poo.

In practical terms what should I really do?

[andy-hughes]

Tricky.

It is not right that you be abused in your own home, that is not acceptable.

Ask your neighbours if they have contact information for their window cleaner and pass the details on to the local police and ask them to have a 'quiet word' with him about his attitude and language.

Abusive language and threatening behaviour are Public Order offences - I am sure they will be happy to mark his card, and that should be the end of the matter.

[ummmm]

I would inform the males in my family.

[Mosaic]

Thanks Andy, sounds about right....

Thing is Umm, OH is away caring for his very elderly parents, and he's touching 70 anyway. Son lives abroad. So just me.

[andy-hughes]

ummmm - //I would inform the males in my family. //

A natural reaction, but you wouldn't want your husband/father/son/brother 'helping the police with their enquiries' this close to Christmas would you!

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe CCTV would help ?

[Mosaic]

Do you know OG I've been thinking of investing anyway. Maybe now's the time.

[Ellipsis]

Do you get on OK with your neighbours? Just have a chat with them and tell them what happened. They should sort it out for you.

[B00]

Oh Mosiac, how awful x

think id have shouted back, but without the swearing, hate that in public. Ellipsis's plan sounds like a good one- speak to your neighbours.

[ummmm]

They aren't that daft, Andy.

[Mosaic]

Lol Umm, if yours are anything like mine 'back in the day', whatever happened there'd be lots of fellers swearing they were with them down the pub at that time....
I will mention it to my neighbours but I'm not sure what they could do either, other than not have their windows cleaned out of solidarity! And the chances, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being very likely.......

[Ellipsis]

They could have a word with their window cleaner and ask him to respect their neighbours, as they do themselves, or they could fire him and get a better window cleaner.

As they're the ones paying him, they have considerably more influence than you.

[ummmm]

Mosaic - I just find that men who find it easy to abuse women are not so quick with their tongue when confronted by a male.

Seen it many many times over the years.

I probably would have shouted back but I'm a gobby cow :-)

[Elina]

That has just wound me up no end, what a bully. I wish you lived near me Mosaic, I'd soon be round there!!

[woofgang]

I agree about talking to the police but also the neighbours are employing the window cleaner...I am assuming that you don’t employ him? Therefore IMO They bear some responsibility for the people who they employ, albeit as contractors and not employees, and therefore first call is to them to tell them what is happening and to ask them to deal with it.

[Elina]

^ Agree totally woof!

[Gizmonster]

I'm assuming he doesn't clean your windows, so my question is why does he need to plant his ladders in your front garden.
Tell him politely that he's trespassing and the next time, you'll inform the police .... the CCTV is a good option as well, as you'll have evidence of his trespassing as well :)

[jennyjoan]

No, wouldn't get police involved - since you do have nice neighbours - this would definitely cause a split between you and not worth it over a window cleaner. Just speak to the neighbours - they may have a word with him. Hope all goes well for you Mosaic.

[Mosaic]

Thanks to you all for your kind answers. Still very annoyed but stopped being weepy now.