Among Friends

[JoyFilled Warrior]

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@Citrine1 wrote:

I will say that not all situations are equal.  I had a couple of guys working in my driveway one day.  They left the garage door open for easy access to the hose, electricity, etc.  

If you enter my downstairs by way of the garage, there is a powder room as soon as you get into my house.  I heard the one guy use the bathroom. 

While I always allow workers to use my bathroom, I do appreciate being asked first and I have to admit I found it a bit gutsy of him to just come in and use the bathroom.  

What was even worse than that was when I went outside to ask them if they wanted something to drink, the one guy said he had already helped himself of a bottle of gatorade!  We had an unopened case of it sitting in the garage that hadn't made its way to the refrigerator yet.  

Can you imagine he tore open the case and helped himself?? 

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@Citrine1   geesh!  

[AuntMame]

I have no problem allowing workers to use the washroom. Although I can understand not wanting to grant permission. 

I have often seen workers for contractors relieving themselves in the yard or in front of our house in the public greenway. I would rather they use our washroom. 

Many of our neighbors rent port-a-potties for their driveway or front lawn when they have major rennovations done on their homes. I can understand why. 

[ROMARY]

I have an idea for future situations.......

If you have a private porch or area in your back yard that is 'private'........

Maybe place a new, portable toilet and along side:  a table with hand sanitizer, toilet paper, baby wipes, paper towels, etc. Also bottles of bottled water.  

I've done this years ago, when gardeners had a special tree trimming, and clearing out job on our property.  They seemed very relieved to see my set-up.

I'm used to emptying portable toilet's buckets because of various elderly relatives' situations throughout the years. 

I always used to wear a mask and vinyl gloves, etc.

[Sooner]

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@hkrgrl wrote:

Citrine:  i would not be happy with that worker!  that's over the top and disrespectful. 

we fortunately do not hire many workers since DH does just about everything around here. 

we are having roofers in the Fall, so we shall see. DH will be here, so he can handle as he sees fit.  they will prob be done in a day, maybe 2....

i do agree that workers do have scheduled breaks and more than likely use the restroom there  (convenience stores). coffe break & lunch.  

i more than likelly would let them use our downstairs powder room, especially if they are here for 8 hours, 1-2 days.  not the one on the upper floor. 

if it is multiple days and multiple workers, then we would have a port a potty delivered....

we had tree service due to storm and no one was here, so obviously they went elsewhere....

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@hkrgrl We've had a number of roofing crews, some working until dark, and never ever had them ask to come in for the bathroom.  We get a lot of hail around here, and honestly never had any of them ask to come in. 

[Desert Lily]

@lgfan  I would never let a worker use my bathroom. Workers are strangers. Strangers. I don't want any stranger using my bathroom. Why in the world would I?! I would not.

The rule about not using homeowners' bathrooms is currently from workers' supervisors. It's an excellent rule. The supervisors' rule about workers not even asking to use the bathroom ensures there is no awkward pressure on the homeowner.

Workers currently expect to not have access to homeowners' toilets and they check their smart phones for fast food places for restrooms nearby. It's current standard procedure. They're adults.

This is 2025, not 1980.

I agree with @JoyFilled Warrior  that my bathroom is the most intimate & communicable room (toothbrush, toiletries, OTC meds, etc.) and I don't want anyone in my bathroom that isn't my family or a loved one.

Does the worker have a cold/flu/covid/etc.? Idk. 

A person may call a service number to have work done on their house or yard. The worker/employee that arrives is a stranger. That stranger will not use my bathroom.

I'll keep my common sense, thank you.

[sunshine45]

have never refused to let a worker use the bathroom. what happens if they were dropped off and didnt have transportation to get to a bathroom? we have a bathroom right off of our garage and back door. no reason for me to NOT let someone go.

[Group 5 minus 1]

Powder room ?

wash room ?

How about bathroom or as the Brits say Loo.

If it is a wash room can they only wash up and not use the toilet?

[BarbieDollToo]

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@Group 5 minus 1 wrote:

Powder room ?

wash room ?

How about bathroom or as the Brits say Loo.

If it is a wash room can they only wash up and not use the toilet?

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Using your logic, then are they just taking a bath?  

[CalminHeart]

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@patticakes wrote:

What would you do or say?  We have a man doing some tree work/landscaping outside for the next 3-4 days and yesterday he asked to use the bathroom which we refused.  Downstairs bathroom was in use and upstairs bath is in a private bedroom.  I'm concerned he will ask again and I don't want to lie or offfend; however, I really don't want to allow him to do that.  Meanwhile, there is a very nice service station right down the street which I think is a good alternative and previous workers have always taken a break and gone down there.  There's also several fast food restaurants at the same intersection which is about a half a mile.  Not sure how to suggest that.  What would you say?

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If I were you, I'd talk to him the next time he shows up and apologize but let him know you're nervous about people in the house and offer him alternatives like a nearby convenience store or fast food place. 

[CalminHeart]

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@Citrine1 wrote:

I have never refused to let workers use my bathroom.  I find that incredibly rude.  

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Same here.

She might find a surprise behind a tree in her back yard.