Do you even think, you would have done it so much better?

Oh dear - Job's Worth and all that. If I were you I would just feel sorry for her - she sounds as though she is an emotional black hole, and her life will be the poorer for that. What a shame.

How are you doing?

Bloody hell! How awful for you! I hope I would have handled it a lot better than that and at least shown a modicum of sensitivity! Where on earth do they find these people? The housing department would certainly have got a very pointed letter from me outlining my disgust! I hope you're feeling better.

I'm doing fine thank you Luckygirl and Greyduster I just can't help but think why someone like her should be doing that job. She didn't have one tiny ounce of compassion in her and was as you say Lucky a pure Job's Worth. Horrible with it. My DH said I should write a letter of complaint but I really can't see the point.

Just the wrong person in the wrong job.

Just what you needed right then, gilly. Not!

Oh, that is diabolical. I'm so sorry gillybob. What is wrong with these people?

It doesn't sound like what you describe can be put down to her having a bad day gillybob and that would make me want to make a complaint. But I can understand why you wouldn't bother. {{{HUGS}}}

gilybob what a horrible experience for you and what an absolute fright this person was. I worked for a housing association at one time and the housing staff were very well trained to deal with bereaved relatives. The view was that once the tenant had died any outstanding rent was 'zeroed' but I guess local authorities are a bit less likely to do this. I would however when you have got your breath back if you don't feel like writing in to complain have a word with your local councillor - this face to face work with the electorate is their bread and butter.

Awful, officious lady. But. My neice is a social 'helper', and had called to take poorly old lady to a hospital appointment. Parked her car outside the house, with the passenger door ajar, to assist the old dear into the car. A parking warden duly pounced, and was issuing the ticket. My neice (apparently), said to the warden "Don't you wish you had paid more attention at school, so that you could have got a worthwhile job". Ouch!

I know wardens get some stick, and have a job to do, but surely a little discretion would not go amiss

What a terrible person! We had the same job of handing over my late Mum's bungalow over. We had a lovely man come to check it over and we gave him the keys. No problems at all. He even said what a nice home it was for someone else to move into.

I would definitely complain formally. She must have a senior person who she works for.

So sorry for you, how insensitive.

Yes, when you feel up to it, a polite letter pointing out how insensitively the situation was handled. It may help you to get it off your chest and up their game in the training department.

How sad for you gilly! I think you should complain a bout her.

I've just asked Teatime if we could send the grans round for her but we would be better employed sorting out that woman.

Miserable little person. Please do complain when you feel up to it. It may spare another grieving relative having to deal with her.
gillybob

To be honest I think she was on some kind of auto pilot and "I" was just another person she had to deal with in the course of her miserable day. I think she was absolutely the wrong person for the job.

My grandmas little bungalow will be "let" soon and I hope the new people appreciate how clean, tidy and well decorated it has been left for them. Thank you all for your kind comments.

Gillybob That is dreadful. If I were you I would complain about her behaviour as soon as you feel strong enough. (((hugs)))

Copy your post and send it as a letter to the council or a local newspaper. Whatever time pressure this cow she was under she should have been more sympathetic towards you. Just a few words from her acknowledging how upset you were feeling would have gone a long way.

oh gilly how awful for you. Horrible, insensitive woman. Yes there are many situations I wish I had handled differently. I think you did just fine.

What a horrible insensitive woman without one ounce of empathy! I agree with everyone else Gilly. A letter of complaint to the top, that is when you feel strong enough. It is something that could definitely go on Twitter if you have an account. Customer service people get very exercised by such public criticism. Usually an immediate response is received.

Hope you are coping ok. You must miss your DGM so much.

gillybob There is something so final about an empty house and anyone who has ever had to handle the removal and disposal of a loved one's possessions would understand how you must have been feeling. If it's any comfort, remember that this officious and unpleasant woman's time will come.

I had a similarly unsympathetic encounter with a sharp-tongued estate agent when I was selling my mother's house. I at least had the satisfaction of putting the sale in the hands of another agent.

Thinking of you.

So sorry to read this gilly Such insensitivity beggars belief!!

Sending hugs and xx

How terrible for you gillybob. It is so hard to deal with the affairs of a loved one after they have died.

I do agree that you should contact the authorities when you are ready, just to tell them how upsetting this experience was for you. Hopefully this will help to avoid the situation arising again for someone else and who knows, it may ensure that this lady receives proper training or advice on how to handle these situations.

My goodness gillybob - what a horrible, insensitive woman. I would certainly complain.

Oh gillybob, what a horror of a woman. I can imagine how you must have been feeling, sitting on the step..... everything going through your mind.
She needs pulled up about this, for sure. A formal letter of complaint to the head of the department.
Sending you a warm arm around your shoulders, my dear. x

How dreadful. You should definitely write a formal letter of complaint, if you feel strong enough.

I agree that a short formal letter of complaint at such insensitivity would be a good idea, and might make you feel a bit better about the situation knowing that she might be spoken to.

It's not enough for an employee to go through the motions of her job and just tick boxes - she should at least show some civility and good manners by at least saying good morning as she stepped over you.

In any other job ie cook, mechanic, plumber or plasterer such an obvious inability to do the job would result in a) a good talking to b) further training
or c) THE SACK!. However as this harridan works for the local authority. This will not apply.