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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Abbie Meehan

Woman branded unreasonable for dubbing worker as 'crisp thief' while on shift

A woman has been dubbed as unreasonable after she has accused workers in her home of being 'food thieves'.

The wife has been renovating a property up alongside her partner as they prepare to move in together. And to help out the couple have enlisted the help of various tradespeople to fix things throughout the home.

When visiting the works, the woman noticed that a multipack of crisps she had bought for her family had been emptied, and several crisp packets were strewn across the home.

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She posted onto popular online forum, Mumsnet, to ask people if she would be unreasonable in bringing the issue up with the head of operations.

Writing on the platform, the woman said: "We are currently renovating a property before moving in. We have all of our furniture there but are staying elsewhere. The windows are currently being renovated.

"When I went in to see the progress I noticed my multipack of crisps was empty and there were several empty packets of crisps strewn in different rooms.

"Am I being unreasonable to raise this with the lead tradesman?"

The woman added: "I have left quite a bit a food there as we are there most days doing DIY/decorating but haven't been there while the windows are being renovated.

"My partner says there isn't any point in raising it. Nothing will come out of it."

Many people were in agreement, saying that it is indeed theft and she should raise it with the person responsible.

One Mumsnet user said: "Of course raise it! They are stealing what is not theirs. I remember a plumber scoffing my grapes that I'd bought as a treat when I was first working and broke. I was appalled."

Another said: "What a d*** to just assume he could have them! Help yourself to the nappies while you're at it."

And a third wrote: "You left these crisps not out on a worktop or anything, but with a pile of your belongings. It may be petty but it is still theft!

"Where do you draw the line people? OK to take crisps but not the wipes? Nappies? I would wait until the end of the job and feed back to the boss, yes. He should know what his men are doing at people's houses."

A fourth added: "I'd raise a complaint about not putting stuff in the bin and not respecting your personal belongings. Any workman should know better."

However, not everyone thought the woman was right, and some felt she was going a bit over-the-top with her reaction.

One Mumsnet user said: "I can see why it's annoying but what's the cost of a packet of crisps in relation to the value of this work being done well? If he's otherwise doing a good job and is reliable in other ways then I wouldn't mind if he ate some crisps..."

Another added: "What is it you want thought: you sound very uptight. What do you want, two quid knocked off your bill? You just spoiling for a fight?"

More comments read: "I suspect he thought they were left for him, when we have trades people in we often leave biscuits etc out. I’d put them in a cupboard next time.

"Can’t believe someone said it was theft!"

Others said: "I wouldn't mention it, you left them in open view and to be honest I always leave treats/snacks (or offer if I'm there) for any tradespeople that are in my home."

And finally, one concluded: "I probably wouldn’t make a fuss about a few crisps. If they are doing a good job then it’s a relatively small price or pay. We had some very annoying behaviour whilst getting building work done but I think mostly it was thoughtless rather than done deliberately.

"It’s already very stressful having work done so I can totally sympathise getting annoyed."

Do you think the woman is right in raising the crisp issue with the workers? Let us know in the comments below.

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