Can my employee make me clean the the work place?

[smoggyuk]

I'm employed in sales/design/production at a sign manufacturer. The problem I have is ive never signed a contract with specific responsibilities.

Today the boss brought everyone together and told us that we would be put on a rota to made to clean kitchen (and I imagine it's only going to be a matter of time before toilets become part of the rota).

We have never had cleaning staff but every now, when work allows, someone will give the place a tidy up. I don't think cleaning should be part of my job. And feel my duties are quite diverse as they are.

I am always happy to help anyone out, even going well out ofmy way. But I don't feel cleaning is something I should have to do. Can a boss make you clean? Or is it his responsibility to do it or hire cleaning staff?

[ojread2]

And why do you think it should be some one else's job?
And why do you think you should not clean up i the loo?
Why should someone else wipe your pee off the seat?

Of course your employer can ask you to clear up behind you

[B00]

Agree with oj i'm afraid.

I imagine your boss will no doubt keep you off the rota if you asked, from what you've written so far he's only asked, not told you all to do it. Why you wouldn't want a cleaner area, especially one where you prepare food and drinks is beyond me, but if you think you're too precious to demean yourself doing it, tell the boss.

[pastafreak]

You're a responsible adult-or should be. If you make use of the premises,it seems you-and your work mates-have a responsibility to keep the areas you all use clean and tidy.
It sounds as if your employer is being as fair as possible,by making up a rota. Jobs of this sort should never fall to one person-from there comes resentment.
If you don't like it-find a job with a company that has the ££ to employ cleaners.

[factor-fiction]

Would you be preapred to resign over the issue?
When i worked in business alt of jobs such as cleaning coffeee cups, cleaning phones and emptying bins by our desks was done by cleaners, but gradually these roles were elominated/cut back in order to make 'savings' and everyone from post clerks to highly paid managers were expected to empty their own bins, clean PC screens etc. I think you have to accept that. I was never asked to hoover carpets etc but if I had I would have smiled as I did it, thinking that I was being rather well paid for doing such a task. If anyone didn't like it they were free to look for other jobs.
Unless these duties become a fairly large part of the role (15%?), or require specific training and protective clothing, or are allocated in a discriminatory way (women clean toilets, men change the light bulbs), I don't think there is anything unlawful in it

[ganesh]

Firstly,I think you mean employER.
Secondly,you haven't signed a contract which you should have.
Thirdly,as part of the team your employer might expect a little tidying or cleaning but I think you are right.Unless it is a tiny place,he should have a proper employed cleaner.If you feel it's not your job then say so,but it may be a bit of a risk,he may get rid of you and employ some-one a bit more flexible and helpful.
Unfortunately it's easy to get more staff these days.
My daughter had this issue as she worked as a chef.She was quite high up in the heirarchy but one place insisted she did a lot of the cleaning,and as she pointed out,that was the KPs job.Needless to say she left it and found a better place.

[EcclesCake]

I agree with Factor and above.

[ojread2]

It is reasonable to assume that the person/people who give the place a tidy up are heartedly fed up with you and their other 'team members' not pulling their weight with regard to the cleaning

[factor-fiction]

Thanks ecclescake. I'm a bit embarrassed by all my typos in that post though. I must turn a light on so I can see my keyboard

[pastafreak]

I'm a cook...but if I was a chef 'quite high up in the hierarchy', I'd still try to chip in with the cleaning-schedule allowing. That's how an employer/manager sets a good example.

[TWR]

A few other people would go all out of their way for a job Smoggy, be thankfull.

[ganesh]

There's 'cleaning' and 'cleaning' pastafreak.Tidying up after yourself is fine but the washing up and deep-cleaning that is required in a busy restaurant should be done by a KP.That is their job.A skilled chef should not be wasting their time doing this.Chipping-in is one thing but cleaning in a restaurant is a full-time job.I bet Alan Sugar isn't seen hoovering the office,come on,we all have employment duties and are paid accordingly.

[EcclesCake]

:-) @ Factor. To be clear I was agreeing with Factor and the posters before him.

If you work in a small company it is not really viable to employ a cleaner to attend the premises every day. It makes perfect sense to share the responsibility around all, given that you are likely to all want to avail yourselves of the kitchen for making drinks or storing/preparing your lunch. Why should it be the sole responsibility of the lowly members of your team to do a menial task. By sharing the load the management are sending a positive message to everyone in the team.

[gsr600]

And why not smoggy UK - do you think it is womens work or something,
(pressume your a male) you get pampered at home by a female,
that is a negative attitude to have, how about your Boss sacks you to take on a cleaner for pressumably less money. I hate working in a s**t hole & often found to have a broom in my hand.
get positive your gonna be on a rota so all can have a skive/ lol

[ganesh]

I agree,I would not have a problem washing up a few coffee cups but I would not clean the toilets in my office .-it's bad enough cleaning my own!

[ganesh]

Positive message to the team? He's just saving his profits by not employing a cleaner! Actually,don't know the financial details,or the size of the company,but bet you that's what's happening.Poor hard-done by employer-yeah right!

[EcclesCake]

I don't know the circumstances of Smoggys office set up. But in my experience an office that employs 10 people is unlikely to need a visit from a cleaner for more than an hour every other day. Trying to find an individual that would want to work on those terms is challenging. To find a contract cleaner is a doddle but they charge a premium for the hassle.

[237SJ]

You say you have never had cleaning staff so who cleans the loos now? Secondly, does he expect you to clean the place in your own time? If he does, I would think that is out of order.

[ganesh]

Maybe smoggy could answer that.I worked in a bank with about 15 people,and we had a cleaner,who would come in for about an hour every evening,I presume she had other clients as well.There's no way people would have accepted the manager putting us on a cleaning rota.I'm not demeaning cleaning work,I know people who employ a cleaner and they pay them quite well ,but that just wasn't the job WE were paid to do.
The fact that smoggy hasn't signed any contract makes his employer sound dodgy anyway.

[EcclesCake]

A signed contract isn't required nor is it all it may be cracked up to be.

Many contracts simply detail that Mr X is employed for 40hrs per week on a salary of £25k, along with all the other bits and bobs about leave etc. The job description rarely makes an appearance in a contract, consequently employers can take a flexible approach when tasking their staff.

[ganesh]

No that's true,but I think it is legally required.Bet you he's not paying N.I either.Come on smoggy,give us some more details.