Among Friends

[patticakes]

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?

[Citrine1]

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

[Maizie Green]

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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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^this^ I always offer my workers a cold beverage as well. 

[Sooner]

I would say something like our plumbing isn't what it should be and you would be safer and better off at one of the establishments near here.  Sorry!  

You are under NO obligation to let a stranger in your house to case the place or use the restroom.  No.  It isn't rude.  In this day and age it is smart.

We have had a lot of work done around here and only one person ask to come in to use the rest room.  My husband had just left, and told the guy to call him if there is a problem, not to bother me I wasn't feeling well.  Soon as my husband was out of sight he's knocking on the door demanding to come in.  

After they left, my husband called the company owner and he said they were never supposed to ask that.  And you know, of the many other crews, individuals and people who have worked here nobody else has.  They work, they know where the rest rooms are.  

[THEY CallMe Mr Wilkes]

I can't imagine not allowing the worker to use a bathroom. 

[wagirl]

I had a powder room just off the garage downstairs in my house,  so that is where the people who needed to use the bath went. Would not let any stranger upstairs either. I made sure there were plenty of towels, soap  and TP in there and then cleaned it after they left for the day.

[lynnie61]

I've had a lot of workers here.  Roofers, landscapers, floor installers, etc. and no one has asked, but I would always allow them to use the bathroom.  Maybe not my bedroom bathroom, but always the hall bath.  I provide beverages, and lunch if it's full day workers.  

[JYWilliams]

I've let workers use my bathroom and offered them something cold to drink. Do what you feel is comfortable for you. That is your home and your choice.

[manny2]

This is a tricky situation. Your response was not unreasonable and could be a teachable moment. In the future if you have work done explaining from the get-go you are not comfortable with anyone coming into your home, so you are informing them of a nearby public place with a restroom they can use.

I would explain this to the man doing the work if he asks again.

I never allow anyone in my home without knowing they are background checked and vetted.

This is a personal choice. There is no right or wrong answer.

[kaydee50]

My initial reaction was to let him use a hallway bathroom but not the "master" bathroom.  However, on re-reading this sounds like he has never worked for the OP before and he is doing outside work.  I think I would say "sorry, I don't feel comfortable having a stranger use my facilities" and suggest what the OP has mentioned.  When we owned a house I don't ever remember someone doing outside work who asked to use our bathrooms.