Cleaning Service ... Conundrum

That is so strange!

I would think back and try to remember which employees had been in, cleaning the day that happend and see if it matches the same people from the second time. That could help zero in on who did it.

Or if you could always put in nanny cams in the areas to see who the underwear theif is. Very odd someone would do that but like you said maybe they have weird reasons.

Dont think you need to fire the whole company just yet, just try to get to the bottom of it.

Or hide all the underwear while they are in the house cleaning.

No you don't sound like a lunatic. :)
I would be having all the same thoughts you seem to be having.
Do the same ladies come each time? Have you considered asking them where they moved your baby's undies to? I, too, would be trying to give the benefit of the doubt, but perhaps it is a test to see if you notice or will speak up and say anything.... before they take something bigger/more valuable. For that matter... are you sure that they haven't already? Have you checked your more valuable items that you don't use often?

Maybe the white undies are being used for cleaning rags? lol :/

I would be scratching my head too. But if it is the same ladies that clean each time, then I would bring it to someone's attention. Either the ladies directly (by asking "indirectly" about the specific items) in a non-accusing way. Which will put them on "notice" that you are aware and are watching. And/or the management at the company... that you have noticed some irregularities and wonder if anyone else has reported similar incidents...

Good luck.

That is just weird and freakish. I guess I would change services and when asked why just tell the truth. They arent all that expensive to replace but pretty much an inconvenience that's for sure. Maybe tell your maids that you want them to inventory...?? I guess that would be gross tho, counting the dirty underwear and then counting it again clean, lol. Sorry, my answer is lame ;)

I KNOW
THE UNDERWEAR FAIRY
:)
sorry i couldn't resist. ok, give it one more chance. pay close attention to what is where, and see what will be missing the third time. if yes, call, speak to them, ask them to find out who and in meantime tell them you're uncomfortable having them continue work until this gets resolved
ALSO
ask if the same person was at your house the last three times (power of elimination). the person will be caught.

Black Market Underwear.

Just like for ball point pens and socks.

Yeah... I'm with you though. It's probably what the person counts on... it's not "expensive" so is unlikely to be reported. I'll bet she "shops" house to house for every day items that either won't be missed or are too "I sound like a raving lunatic" to be reported. (1 shirt here, one pair of kids out of season clothes there, a few undies here, socks there)

Nah not a luntic... just a little bit nuts... I know that would make me go a little around the bend.

I would call the service - someone did steal something, also if they get away with this, what might they try next and do it again somewhere else. Alternatively, you could speak with the cleaning folks if you know who they were, but that is a little dicey because you do not know how they would react. - If you did decide to speak to them perhaps just ask about it - for example Do you remebr the last time you were here there was a stack of underware stacked here... I couldn't find them later and was wondering if you moved them? Totally non-confrontaional - they will most likely say no, and don't push it. But it will put them on notice that you noticed the theft and perhaps prevent a repeat.

Oh man, this isn't funny, but when I read Kaida P.'s responseI had to laugh! You have to get to the "bottom" of this underwear problem!

Good luck L. G, I think I would use the in-direct approach that someone else mentioned, "Which drawer did you move the baby's undies to?I can't seem to find them." But I am rather non-confrontational.

It's a major trust issue. You expect that when people come into your home to provide a service, they will do that particular service without violating any boundaries. Unfortunately, even with licensed companies, that is not always the case.

Regardless if this is intentional stealing or some mental health issue at work, it is a complete violation of your personal boundaries. It is really creepy to think that someone is going through your drawers and personal items. Doesn't matter why the person is doing it, it's creepy and wrong!

Also, the person may be testing you. He/she may think this is such a small thing and would seem strange to report, that you'll either not care or be too embarassed to mention it. If you let it go, however, and don't say anything, what items might be next? With behavior like this, how can you be assured that small things that you might not notice until much later or things like your personal information aren't being compromised----e.g. going through your personal papers to get CC numbers, SS numbers, bank account numbers, etc.

Regardless of the reason, this behavior has to stop. I would definitely call the service---if you were the business owner, wouldn't you want to know if something were going on with your employees rather than having all of your clients drop you and not know why?

You don't sound like a "raving lunatic" at all. After happening twice, this must be very unsettling to you. Call the owner, and simply report your observations as you've reported them here. No business owner wants to risk losing their reputation and customers. If you decide to stay with this service, you should ask for different cleaning personnel.

For everyone having service people come in, it should be standard practice to have high value items/irreplaceable items (jewelry) and paperwork with personal information in a locked drawer or file cabinet. It might seem like a pain to have to do, but it is a lot easier than having to file police reports and repairing your credit once your identity has been stolen.

Best luck in resolving this!

J. F.

We have a second-hand store that caters to the poorest people in our area, and they do sell used underwear there. There is an actual need, in families barely scraping by, for affordable underwear, pillows and bedding, washcloths and towels – things most of us consider rather intimate.

I imagine actual theft is happening, and you are not crazy. Some woman probably rationalizes that you have so much, and she has so little, and you won't miss these inexpensive items. It's not a healthy mindset, but I have known such people.

As peculiar and pathetic as it sounds, I'd report these incidents. The agency will probably get other reports as well, which will help identify the thief. They will be grateful to get your information, because their reputation is on the line.

WHO else could it be then? its Them - or one of them. Maybe they need undies for their family and assume (wrongly) that you wouldnt notice some missing and wouldnt ever say anything cause it is a "odd" thing to go missing.... I Really would mention it again, maybe theres new ladies coming to clean? GL your not a lunatic - I would be so Stumped !!!!

It is naive to think they are taking the underwear b/c they "need" it. If I had to guess there is a black market out there for other people's underwear and it is NOT to wear it if you catch what I mean! There is no limit to the perversions of some people. I would most definitely call the service and report them and then fire them.

I think it sounds like you might need to orchestrate a "sting"....when you know when they are coming, make a list of all undies in the house and then check the list after they leave. Then at least you will know for certain that you are not crazy...then report and fire them!

I just had a thought as to why they may be stealing it. If not for themselves, they may be sending it back to whatever country they come from for those that are very poor and just cannot afford to buy anything for themselves. Like someone else mentioned, they are probably "shopping" at different client's houses and then sending a box of clothes to whomever. I'm willing to bet that they cannot actually buy these things for other family members, so this is what they do. Make sense to anyone else?

I believe they are stealing. I do not believe I would let it go as they might move onto jewelry. I would simply ask if different workers could come.

You are not crazy and deep inside we all want to know how you cracked the "Case of the missing Undies." I agree that on one hand, they must really need them or someone does...but on the other hand if these go un-noticed then they may move on to socks, then shoes, then more expensive items so it is best that you set up a cam or let the service know immediately or confront them just to let them know that you know! Please let us know what happened.