Supermarket worker reveals ‘gross’ cleaning task ‘isn’t part of her job’

A supermarket worker has divided opinion after she shared that she was asked to clean up a mess in the aisle which she felt was not part of her job description.

While an accidental spill can be business as usual, this supermarket worker says she was asked to clean up urine after a toddler peed on the floor and her parents did nothing to help.

In a post on the popular Mumsnet forum, the woman explained that she works in a medium-sized supermarket with four pits, no customer toilets and a cleaner.

“A child wets himself”

“Today a child wets himself in one of the hallways,” she begins her post.

“My manager told me to clean it with paper towels and I refused. It’s not part of my job description and I’m not cleaning up human waste – even if it’s a child’s.

“To be honest, leaving my parents and not helping was lazy and brutal in itself, but regardless, am I being unreasonable?”

While many of the comments were confused as to why the cleaners weren’t ready to deal with the situation then and there, others felt the poster wasn’t being unreasonable in refusing to deal with the little one.

“I doubt it’s in one’s contract to clean up human waste in a work environment where you don’t expect it,” said one response.

“A surprising amount happens where I work. As a manager, I usually clean it myself. Someone has to do it and I get paid more. Your manager should have done the same. Get a lot of goodwill and find people who will offer to trade. Some managers lack interpersonal skills.â€

Another added: “I totally agree you shouldn’t clean up human waste. And especially not with paper towels! You can put your health at risk. It must be cleaned by someone properly trained and using the proper equipment.â€

“Maybe two minutes”

Some commenters thought the poster was overthinking the situation, as this teacher explains.

“I’m an elementary school teacher, not sure if it’s in my job description, but I’ve had to clean vomit, pee, blood and throats on numerous occasions. The same was true when I worked in a bar.

“It’s not pleasant, but just spray it with some antibacterial liquid, throw in some kitchen roll and grab it with plastic gloves. It probably takes all of two minutes.â€

With another remark along the same lines: “Urine is sterile until it reaches the outside world. Not a big deal really, although the parents should have dealt with it.”

Most agreed that the fact that parents did not help clean up the mess was problematic.

“If parents can’t control their child, then they should be forced to clean the p**s out of them,” wrote one particularly angry respondent.

While others felt that parents weren’t equipped to handle this kind of situation, so there wasn’t much they could have done anyway.

“I’m not sure where you expect parents to put their mop and bucket every time they leave the house with a child?

“You resent being asked to clean up a bit, but expect your parents to do it without any real cleaning equipment? They can’t clean it with baby wipes and borrowing store cleaning equipment is likely an insurance issue, so you’re being ridiculous.

“Don’t have children!”

Another thought that her refusal to clean the little one was a sign of childlessness.

“Please don’t ever have kids!! You’re in for a big shock!”

To which the OP replied, “I’m sure most people are fine with cleaning their child. Kinda weird not seeing the difference.”

The last word goes to this nurse, who sometimes felt, you just have to get on with the job at hand, as she has done many times before.

“It was very bad behavior of the child’s parent. But it all feels a bit like labor and a childish refusal to clean it up.

“I think the first worker on the scene should deal with it. No need for a whole team!”