Are window cleaners still allowed to work during Coronavirus (Covid-19)?

[NoName]

Samn, if it helps I've worked thru out (apart from 1 day, initially as I felt we all needed a little grace to figure it out) ALL my custy's are pleased to see me and respectful - they only grief I've got is on here  ? 

Personally. I'm telling ALL my custy that I would like to help them if they need any jobs/shopping/medicines (and I really mean it - been doing it for a couple of weeks) it really touches many custys - since most are staying inside and feel alone and vulnerable - esp the older ones. We are well placed to help.

I make sure I explain all the hygiene steps I'm implementing to reassures them - many have said - thanks so much for being conscious - also I'm not taking cash - one custy (only ever cash) today after I said pay me next time or time after that...he went back inside and when I got round the back he'd put the notes on the back step    (thinking he was doing my a favour ? )...then when I was leaving he came out and said 'oh can you do my drive next time' as a 'tip'. 

I don't do estates - which I can imagine would be more volatile.

Passerbys - just smile at them and say 'hi yer' most smile/wave back - no comments but a few quizzing looks...

 

[mrtaytay]

Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes.

The talk of this going for six months forced my.hand really. I could weather out a month, although it would be very very tight.

But any longer than that I'd be in serious trouble.

One issue is the government believing that 80% of profit is equivalent to 80% of salary. 80% of my profit would pay my running costs and leave me only around £300 a month for paying my bills and buying food. We'd be at least £1500 a month short.

i cant see it being 6 months of lockdowns...just 6 months of disruption with occasional lockdowns when the virus flares up again. Certainly wont be great for us windies, but I am hopeful of being able to work in around 5 weeks time.

Anyway, best of luck tomorrow....and, of course, you will still be able to claim the self employed 80% grant

 

[Samn]

100% of your profit is your taxable income. Have you got your gross profit mixed up with your net profit. Unless you're a business and taking a salary, if you are there is a different compensation scheme for you.

No I've not got it muddled up but I wasn't clear I was comparing 80% of our profit to employed people getting 80% of their salary. 2 very different things, but the government think it's equivalent. They seem to imagine that business expenses won't still need to be paid.

 

[mrtaytay]

Did you reply to the lady who was disappointed? I’m gonna have to do this soon & im a bit worried.

i did....quite a long apologetic text { I felt guilty}. She didnt reply, although, in her reply to my initial text, she did say that she respected my decision.

 

[Samn]

i cant see it being 6 months of lockdowns...just 6 months of disruption with occasional lockdowns when the virus flares up again. Certainly wont be great for us windies, but I am hopeful of being able to work in around 5 weeks time.

Anyway, best of luck tomorrow....and, of course, you will still be able to claim the self employed 80% grant

Normally this time of year from now to July is when I make the most money, through extras etc. The grant will probably cover the difference from what I will be earning doing a bit less each day and maybe a few weeks of stricter restrictions.

 

[Pjj]

Have you let customers know and was they ok with the cleaning being put on hold? 

Yes most said they were happy for us to continue but when I explained my stance on it they all agreed and said they are happy to Waite for us to return at a later date .

 

[Andy Hill]

many have said - thanks so much for being conscious

Typo I realise!! But made me chuckle ?? 

 

[james82]

Some ipa here Dave B 

View attachment 19895

Ipa now your talking.  I brew my own .I bull s#!t you not, it's on par with the best of it

 

[Don Logan]

i did....quite a long apologetic text { I felt guilty}. She didnt reply, although, in her reply to my initial text, she did say that she respected my decision.

Had the same my family's health is way to important. We have a family friend who works in ITU she was telling us not many old people in the unit more young fit people who have the virus, one guy who has been on a ventilator for 7 day now at risk of heart failure and a stroke.

Stay safe people.       

 

[Danfire]

Anybody out cleaning today? I had lastweek off as i have a large round of domestic houses and wasn't sure it was safe to work.Really want to get back to work today but only if its safe/ ok to do so.

I did, customers were happy for me to work. I drop supplies to vulnerable customers that are isolating as I do the round, they seem to appreciate it.

 

[Ac window]

Well, Lads and Lasses....whatever you do tomorrow....stay safe and enjoy life.

I chose to stop working last wednesday after 2/3 days deliberation. Really hard decision to make and, I have to admit, I am still questioning my decision now, which is only human I suppose. I suspect a full lockdown, whereby only key workers are allowed to work isnt that far away...maybe even days. I would welcome it to be honest....if only to stop me worrying about my decision, my round and what the future holds.

I'm the same mate still debating 

 

[mike007]

Don't suppose you have any links to the actual data?  Would like to have a look at it later today.

Youtube "Sky COVID19: What does the latest data tell us?" 

 

[Markyboy 50]

Anyone working today because of what Chris Choi said last night on telly?

 

[Spartan]

Anyone working today because of what Chris Choi said last night on telly?

I went for a couple of hours yesterday for the first time for nearly 2 weeks. 

The road I was working in was deathly quiet....it did feel weird so after a couple of hours I packed up.

didnt speak to single customer until the last door when she came out and said - ‘could I please do the back of the property?’

I had to point out that as it was a terraced house I would be unable to observe the 2M distancing rule and thus was not able to clean the back especially as she had her kids running around as well.

it still seems as if some people still aren’t getting it!

 

[Doo]

Anyone working today because of what Chris Choi said last night on telly?

I'm staying off Chris Choi is a reporter not a scientist or doctor .

I know of one gang of window cleaners here in my area all from different households travelling to work in one car. 

They told me they need the money (who fecking doesn't) 

Round here it looks like life has not changed one bit for some. 

Not much social distancing going on still people going in each others houses and this is what I can see from my window I imagine the same will be happening all over . 

 

[ks789]

Anyone working today because of what Chris Choi said last night on telly?

Im working today but not because of what he said, although it does make it a bit easier perhaps. I told one of my customers that some going to work were getting abuse etc and she said the ones giving abuse etc were diabolical and disgusting.

 

[Delabrum]

I’ve contacted about 30-40% of my customers via text, phone and social media to explain why I won’t be working for a while. I wasn’t keen on pushing letters through my customers doors as I was worried I could potentially spread it. But I’ve changed my mind. In my village of about 13,000 people, there’s roughly 15/20 window cleaners. I’ve seen at least 3 of them out working. I know the majority of the other lads/businesses aren’t working, but I got a bit worried that my customers would see other window cleaners out working still and ask them to clean their windows (I live right by the sea so windows are always filthy around here!)

So yesterday I embarked on a letter campaign that involves posting roughly 500-600 letters to my remaining customers. The response thus far has been unanimous - ‘you’re doing the right thing’. 

I had one customer contact me last night (I was actually due there yesterday) saying thanks for not coming, her stepdad died of COVID over the weekend. Can you imagine if I’d turned up there yesterday?!

Personally, I think showing my customers that I’m putting the health of others/NHS over my profit for a brief period of time is going to do A LOT more for my business/customer loyalty/relationships in the LONG TERM. Long term thinking is crucial for any business. Yes a customer may say they’re happy for us to come. But we’re the polite British, how do we know that behind closed doors they’re not saying ‘what a ******’?

I’m not having a pop at those who are still working. I just again want others to think about what is going to be best for our businesses 6,12,18 months down the line.

 

[Chris34]

Im working today but not because of what he said, although it does make it a bit easier perhaps. I told one of my customers that some going to work were getting abuse etc and she said the ones giving abuse etc were diabolical and disgusting.

I've got a gut feeling that the ones shouting abuse and giving abuse online etc are not the type of people who have a window cleaner so I'd ignore any comments.  Think of all the ridiculous comments that you hear from people who don't have window cleaners, 'any window cleaner telling you need them cleaned every month is ripping you off, you only need them cleaning once every 4 months, max...period'   'you don't need a window cleaner, I got new windows 4 years ago, the rain washes them clean, mine still look like new after 4 years...'   just two of the comments I've heard online in the last 6 months.

I've done searches on facebook, I've searched 'window cleaner' and filtered it to show 'posts' in 'march' and you can see people putting up pictures of window cleaners, they usually come with the comment 'should he be out?' and the vast majority of people say 'why not? he's on the outside of the glass not in contact with you, he's got a living to make' and it actually ends up being a good advert as many say 'he can come and do mine, I've been looking for a window cleaner'.

If we all listened to other peoples opinions I doubt anybody would have started their businesses, you always get people who don't want you to do stuff whatever it is.

 

[Dave B]

 

[Lparker9983]

I’ve contacted about 30-40% of my customers via text, phone and social media to explain why I won’t be working for a while. I wasn’t keen on pushing letters through my customers doors as I was worried I could potentially spread it. But I’ve changed my mind. In my village of about 13,000 people, there’s roughly 15/20 window cleaners. I’ve seen at least 3 of them out working. I know the majority of the other lads/businesses aren’t working, but I got a bit worried that my customers would see other window cleaners out working still and ask them to clean their windows (I live right by the sea so windows are always filthy around here!)

So yesterday I embarked on a letter campaign that involves posting roughly 500-600 letters to my remaining customers. The response thus far has been unanimous - ‘you’re doing the right thing’. 

I had one customer contact me last night (I was actually due there yesterday) saying thanks for not coming, her stepdad died of COVID over the weekend. Can you imagine if I’d turned up there yesterday?!

Personally, I think showing my customers that I’m putting the health of others/NHS over my profit for a brief period of time is going to do A LOT more for my business/customer loyalty/relationships in the LONG TERM. Long term thinking is crucial for any business. Yes a customer may say they’re happy for us to come. But we’re the polite British, how do we know that behind closed doors they’re not saying ‘what a ******’?

I’m not having a pop at those who are still working. I just again want others to think about what is going to be best for our businesses 6,12,18 months down the line.

Absolutely the right decision. We as collective cleaners are no different to any other person on lockdown. We do have the potential to spread it no matter how careful we are. As for Chris choi , he was sat on ITV as a ITV employee being asked questions by ITV ?, go figure. As far as I'm aware he has NO medical, professional or government ties to spew what folk can and can't do. Leave that to the 5pm daily bulletins from the relevant authorities stood on them podiums. 

  Ultimately people will still go out and work regardless of the potential of spreading this. Those people need to look at the UK as a whole and what people are trying to do rather than looking at themselves as an individual and thinking it's only me, I can't hurt anyone. If everyone thought that we'd all be business as normal. I just don't get how hard it can be to drill a message to everyone.

STAY AT HOME, PROTECT THE NHS AND SAVE LIVES ?. 

 

[Dave B]

This has been done to death now hasn't it?

Any chance of changing the subject a little.

Yes some are working some are not but preaching either stance is getting nowhere.

Do what you have to do and that's it.