New colleague won’t adhere to workplace policies

I envy those who are permitted to sit in their GP waiting room. We have to stand outside in all weathers! When I asked why, I was told “it’s because of the carpeted floor”.

On the issue of cleaning, as far as I’m concerned we are each responsible for our own safety.

Of course everyone should wash their hands every time they use the loo (and it always surprises me that some people don't), but as far as Covid is concerned, it doesn't matter whether someone has used the loo or the kettle - it is general cleanliness that matters, as well as wearing masks or ventilating communal areas.

Cleopanda I also think that if you are reduced to tears because of what someone else's colleague may or may not have done in their workplace, you might be better off having an Internet break for a while. We can't all moderate our responses to a general point in case it distresses someone who is clearly very sensitive, yet it is not nice to feel that we may have done so. I am neither complacent nor derisive - I just feel that the current climate, in which some people feel the need/desire to report others for transgressions which are unproven and sometimes imagined, is deeply unpleasant and dangerous.

I have always felt where hygiene was concerned, that my safety was primarily my own responsibilty as many other previous posters have said.
Would you really trust the person using gym equipment, etc. to have wiped down the equipment properly before you use it? I certainly wouldn't and would always wipe things down before I use them myself. I have checked and wiped toilet seats before I use them for years, public and private! It's only common sense.

I also feel the sink outside the toilet would be a good if expensive idea. It would certainly make the OP's life easier when she's checking on the hygiene habits of all her co-workers, as I assume it's not just the poor newbie, who hasn't fitted in quite as well, who is under her scrutiny . . . ?

I’m usually quite measured, but this post has been hijacked to the extent that I can’t let it go. There are some posters on here who are way out of line. I can’t believe people can post such irresponsible rubbish about GP practices not following basic infection control requirements - and other people endorsing that being okay.

There is a myriad of infection control guidance, and yes of course the wipes used in the NHS kill viruses. If anybody sees that rules are not being followed in their practice they have a moral responsibility to report it to avoid other people and their own lives being put at risk.

Apart from any other consideration, it’s completely insensitive to those people who are vulnerable and need to visit their GP practice, when your posts are inaccurate to such a degree, why cause additional anguish?

Do this person have extra needs is she aware that's what she needs to do some people could just need a gentle reminder or even a little help

I know that my colleague has not been wiping down surfaces as yesterday she and I were the only ones in the office and I deliberately left the hand wipes in a certain position to confirm what I suspected. Another colleague raised it initially. As two of our small team have heart issues (mine caused almost certainly by Coronavirus) I am a bit cautious. Obviously I am probably immune now, but it’s not all about me. Another colleague put up a pleasant reminder notice in the WC just in case she had missed the message. Protocols had been discussed in a staff meeting at which she was present. Whether I like her or not is neither here nor there, I just think that everyone else adheres to the rules and not her. Our WC is on the corridor so you can hear everything (unfortunately) it is apparent she neither washes her hands or wipes down the surfaces.

Hardly charitable to discuss a new colleagues actions with other members of staff.
Or to grudgingly describe her as 'nice enough'. I bet she loves you.
Stop gossiping with others and if you're genuinely concerned, have a word with her manager. I've tried to work out how you know so much about her toilet habits.

I have a good idea. Try being nice to her.....

I was writing before sering your explanation.
I accept your concerns, so best for you to wipe down on entering the loo area. I would anyway cos I'm a clean freak.
Just be nice.... None of us know what's happening in someone else's life....

So always offer to give her a squirt of your sanitiser and always wipe things before you use them - toilet handles, taps, door handles, equipment etc, whether she’s touched them or not. It may cost you more but it’ll give you peace of mind.
Like MagicWand I wipe gym equipment down before I use it. Re the sink outside; unless it’s an elbow tap or automatic, you touch it when you use it so you might just as well wipe it down anyway.

Even not washing her hands after using the loo - pandemic or not - is dire. Report to line manager.
My 4 year old DGD knows about hand washing - it’s common sense

ReadyMeals

MaggieTulliver

Beyond petty OP. I work in a GP practice and there is no wiping down of surfaces nor has it ever been mentioned. I despair at what Covid is doing to people....

omg.... Seems I was right to decide not to see my GP until the pandemic is over. And doctors wonder why patients are putting off consulting them?

I thought the same! This really shocked me knowing that many businesses are going to be lost because they didn't clean properly. Ppl became infected in hospitality places, relaxing too much after firebreaks. Remember, many are carriers, not showing symptoms.

The same could be said about any other loo couldn't it? We use a loo not knowing who used it last, what they touched or whether they washed their hands!
Seems very petty to consider reporting this person to the CEO, get a grip and concentrate on your own personal hygiene habits. If you wash your hands after using the loo then what is the problem here?

For those of you who asked how I knew she wasn’t washing her hands or wiping the surfaces down. Our WC is on the main corridor. The bin is foot operated and noisily bangs shut, typically people wipe surfaces down and dispose of the wipe and then wash the hands and dispose of the paper towels. This results in two noisy bangs.

If someone annoys you it’s easy to get into this mindset of constantly watching what they are doing and waiting for them to trip up. If you feel you need to say something say it to her not someone else- remember once it’s said you can’t take it back. This pandemic is making everyone fed up and edgy - we need to try and be kind and tread gently.

Remember one has to work with this lady long term and unless one doesn’t want an unpleasant atmosphere long term one needs to be very careful as it could be misconstrued as workplace bullying and she would be quite justified in putting in a grievance on this basis of ganging up. Just take responsibility for ones own hygiene and let others take care of theirs. In my job I cannot control what others do with their grubby little paws I just take care of my own.

My goodness Mamma66, you've really given this some considerable time and investigation haven't you? Laying a trap with the positioning of the anti bacterial wipes; counting how many clunks the pedal bin makes, listening for the tap running.
You have 2 choices:
1. Make sure that you wipe everything down as you enter and leave the toilet area and wash your hands thoroughly, just as you would when entering any public lavatory.
2. Report your colleague to the CEO, stand back and wait for the atmosphere in the office to become very unpleasant for everyone.

Chewbacca perhaps if you had been left with Heart Failure at the age of 53 having had suspected Coronavirus you would have given it some consideration. I would not wish what I have gone through on anyone...

As this person is a new volunteer, couldn't the manager just have a friendly word to remind her of policies?

There's always so much to take in when you start a new job and there's nothing worse than having people gossip behind your back and not telling you what you're doing wrong.

Best to involve the CEO Mamma66. Good luck.

Mamma66

For those of you who asked how I knew she wasn’t washing her hands or wiping the surfaces down. Our WC is on the main corridor. The bin is foot operated and noisily bangs shut, typically people wipe surfaces down and dispose of the wipe and then wash the hands and dispose of the paper towels. This results in two noisy bangs.

Perhaps she lifts her foot off the foot pedal in a very controlled manner so that it shuts gently because she doesn't like loud bangs?

Just a thought - might she be wasting her hands with her own sanitiser, and squirting surfaces with a self-drying substance of some sort, so not running the tap or using the hand dryer or needing a bin?

Or even washing her hands!

Or letting her hands drip dry

Mamma66

Chewbacca perhaps if you had been left with Heart Failure at the age of 53 having had suspected Coronavirus you would have given it some consideration. I would not wish what I have gone through on anyone...

Sorry you are being given such snide answers especially given your circumstances. No idea why people leap to all kinds of nasty conclusions when you are trying to protect yourself and others. Most don’t seem to have much of a clue about enclosed areas behind shops. Most are probably using far different facilities. A bit off putting to think of her handling items for sale, the till, counters and handing people change. Hope you manage to resolve the issue without further distress. The last thing you need.

Or using a different loo?

Seriously, if I felt that my lavatorial behaviour was being monitored like this I would struggle to be able to go - I would have to find a facility on another floor. Maybe this is the explanation?