For context, I run a pet care business and some of my hires are friends.
For house sits, especially first-time house sits with brand new clients, I have a standard protocol that no additional overnight guests are allowed. We inquire for clients’ visitor policy, but just not overnight guests and this applies to all sitters. The reasons are for client and pets’ comfort, liability concerns, and to maintain professionalism.
The sitter (who signed an agreement to work with me) in this case is also a friend. She’s in a long-distance relationship and typically drives about 8 hours every weekend to visit her boyfriend, since she’s a full-time student and weekends are their only time together.
She agreed to take a 5 days long house sit after confirming her availability, and set up a meet and greet with the client in 2 days. I informed her of the no-overnight-guests guideline for first stays, since this client is brand new and I have zero first hand experience with the client and her pets. Here is what I told her:
"Since this is a brand new client+animals, while we ask for visitors policy, it’s best to refrain from having anyone else other than the sitter staying with the pets overnight. :)"
and
" it’s just standard for first stays with new clients and animals so everything stays professional and focused on the pets. Once there’s an established relationship and comfort on both sides, it’s easier for the client to be more flexible! 🙂 "
She responded by saying: “I am fine actually. You can cancel this and future stays. I was looking for these house sittings so I can get extra money to spend time with my bf. If that’s a problem, I am out. Sorry.”
Now, I never accused her of anything or make it personal, I just explained that the guideline applies across the board for first stays. I already tried my best to word it softly so as to not rub her the wrong way, and I felt her reaction was uncalled for.
I haven’t responded yet, as in her last house sit (which was my repeat client whom I referred her to), she bypassed me and asked the client if her boyfriend can sleepover with her for the entire stay, which already raised some eyebrows but I decided to let it slide as she was my friend, and the client was pretty casual and chill.
I am not sure how to go around it without calling her out regarding her behavior. I could simply act apologetic to diffuse the situation, but I felt she overstepped boundaries and disrespected me and could jeopardize my company over her personal interests, hence I should not back down to appease her.
Now I’m wondering if maintaining that boundary makes me unreasonable, or if her response was blow out of proportion?
EDIT: To clarify, this was discussed before the booking was finalized. There was no signed agreement yet. I bring up overnight guest expectations as part of confirming first-time house sits, because client comfort and insurance coverage are involved.
In my experience, most homeowners (esp. new clients) are not comfortable with additional people staying overnight, so it’s my standard practice to operate that way unless explicitly agreed otherwise.
Her scope of care was discussed by phone and by a contractor agreement months ago, and during the multiple conversations we had, she had never once mentioned that her boyfriend staying with her for all her house sit bookings was a requirement.
In fact, she never mentioned about her bf pet sitting with her at all, until her last house sit where she asked a regular client of mine (she has never house sat for this client though) if her bf can stay with her for the entirety of the stay, without my knowledge. I clarified the guidelines this time to realign expectations before we actually go through with a meet and greet. It wasn’t meant to be a surprise rule.
None of my other sitters have overnight guests over during a house sit as it’s kinda given— This friend was the only one who has ever done it, which is why I decided to clarify with her. The way I worded it was definitely too “soft”, I admit I was kinda treading around it so as to not come across rude towards her and her partner. The mention of “brand new clients“ was meant for an emphasis/ justification of my business policy, which in hindsight, I should have simply stated what I intended to say, in a matter of fact manner.
NTA! I’m honestly agog that anyone who considers themselves a professional would think it’s appropriate to have a boyfriend stay over at a first-time client’s house. But it sounds like she’s NOT professional, as she’s making it clear this is an “extra cash” gig and she doesn’t really take it seriously.
Even for a non first-time client, I find it unprofessional
Agreed! MAYBE for a longtime client you’ve developed a rapport with, and who has actually MET the bf, I could see it.
I agree, too. If I was ever even asked about overnight guests by a housesitter/ housesitting agency I would fire them.
Came to post similar. Who in the world would ever think it appropriate to have a SO over while on the job? Boggles my mind. Wouldn’t even occur to me to ask for this, let alone expect it or be offended by this common sense rule.
If i had hired a house sitter and they brought any guests over i would be pissed and demand a refund from the company. I am hiring you to watch my pets, not have a booty call on my furniture.
I dont understand the issue. You told her the rules she said she is not interested. The end. No need to do anything else. NAH
NTA.
You’re running a business and you have rules/guidelines in place as part of the running of your business to protect all parties involved.
The no overnight stays for additional people with new cluents sounds reasonable. Hell, that rule makes sense regardless of it being a first time or established client.
The problem here is you hired a friend who’s more interested in hanging our with her boyfriend than doing the job she’s been hired to do. She doesn’t respect your business at all.
Let her find another line of work that fits her priorities.
NTA. You have a reasonable rule. She decided she didn’t want to work with that rule in place. There really isn’t a conflict here. But in any case, you’re NTA.
You can’t have such a minor thing cause you doubt because if it does, then running a business is going to be too stressful for you. Not having a couple lounge around and having sex in some new client’s house is a reasonable and expected policy and I’m not sure why you are second-guessing something that is so reasonable.
But some feedback:
* This is exactly why you should not work with friends
* You are the boss. You don’t have to be an asshole (and you weren’t), but you should be clear, unambiguous, and firm. It’s great to have good people skills, but don’t put a smiley face when you’re just relaying information about the job. Just keep it professional.
* Saying “it’s best to refrain from” is wishy-washy. You should just say “Refrain from” or better yet just say it is not allowed.
* Tell people of all the expectations and rules before you hire them on, so they won’t quit on you unexpectedly
* This isn’t a “boundary”. It is a workplace rule
Agree with all of this. The language is confusing and misleading. Just say what isn’t allowed. And why is it just for first time clients—that’s also weird. Even if I have a repeat pet sitter, it’s never going to be ok with me for them to bring a stranger with them. You just need to have clear, firm employment rules that you state upfront.
It’s ok that your friend doesn’t want the job knowing the parameters—she’s entitled to say it’s not a good fit for her.
As someone who would use a pet sitter…wow. I don’t want a stranger who is not covered by a company and not a personal friend of mine staying at my house overnight.
This
Someone calls me asking if their BF can hang when I’m paying them to watch the pets and house would immediately get fired
That’s not what their time is being compensated for
NTA, if I hired a pet sitter I would not be happy with an extra overnight visitor. I certainly wouldn’t call them guest.
This is a business transaction, I would assume the sitter is vetted and insured in case of accidental damage or injury to the sitter or the pet caused through negligence or mishap
Their bringing a plus 1 is the same as bringing a friend or family member to work.
You need to include it in your employee contract. Also no communication between sitter and client unless it is pet related.
NTA.
You should acknowledge, but that’s all. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out” is sufficient.”
And frankly, this rule should ALWAYS be in place ALL the time for ALL clients…not a “see how it goes” basis. You’re supposed to be running a professional business, not facilitating hangouts and sleepovers with friends at a stranger’s house. If I was hiring a dog sitter and I didn’t explicitly know the person doing the sitting (and know them well) there would be a zero-tolerance “absolutely no visitors” policy, I think a lot of people would feel the same way.