money due because of poor cleaning in the final weeks or days of the contract. When my cleaners invest in my business and take the same risks that I am taking, I will inform them of everything immediately. might cause problems, as some people might resort to stealing or slacking off because they have nothing to lose. And, some customers don’t tell us until the last day because they don’t want jani-tors having keys and access to their build-ing after they’ve been terminated. Peter Weiss 6/9/2010 Companies have been telling me when on a sales appointments that they don’t look forward to cancelling the current service because the cleaning will be terrible for the next 30 days. This happens all of the time because, once the cleaning people are notified of cancellation, they then become mad and truly don’t care about any detailed cleaning — if any cleaning at all. This is why I have been taken advantage of in getting my final check for the full amount because people do not want to pay for items that we completed poorly or not at all. When the end is near, only I know it — and that’s the way it’s going to be. Mack Simmons 6/8/2010 The right thing to do is tell them as soon as possible. They have a right to know. As owners, supervisors and managers, we establish what the expectations are and we coach and motivate staff to meet those expectations. If they haven’t performed up to those standards, you have allowed it by accepting substandard work. Set the bar high and train the team to achieve at that level. Aim higher. Don’t lower the bar to the level at which they’re performing. Peter Weiss 6/8/2010 I am not trying to come across as someone who doesn’t care for his employees because that’s not how I see it. If an account cancels because of rea-sons other than poor employee cleaning performance, I will find new work for my employees and they are always paid well and given respect. It is purely a business decision not to notify about a cancellation until after the last cleaning. Chaz Townsend 6/10/2010 I think the answer to this question depends on the specifics of the situation. I want to be fair with everybody. However, if the reason we are getting canceled is the employees’ fault, have they been fair to me in doing a poor job that led to this? Someone said above that if this is the case, it’s management’s fault anyway because they allowed poor workmanship to continue. Well, that’s completely true. But, I can’t completely excuse the properly trained employee in all instances. CM Toni Lowery 6/8/2010 Well, Peter, I guess I can see why after being burned you would feel that way. In my role, I am a little removed from the loss of capital since I work as a supervisor for a larger contract company. I guess I relate more to the workers’ point of view than the owners’. However, I would give my 100 percent best on a job, regardless of it coming to an end — and I know most of my employees would as well. So, I do still think that letting folks know is the right thing to do; but, your point is well-taken. Robert Jess 6/9/2010 Peter and Ed, shame on you both — just kidding. If I do not plan on keeping the employee due to no openings, I tell them at the end of the shift on their last day — actually, right after I have them load the vehicle with the equipment. On their last day, I hand them their check, tell them sorry and if something comes up we’ll call them, pat them on the back, wish them the best of luck and send them packing. They’re employees, not contractors. If you were ever laid off, did your employ-er come to you and say, “By the way, 30 days from now we’re going to lay you off.” Of course not. They told you at the end of your shift on your last day. The only time a company tells an employee ahead of time is if they’re closing their company doors for good. Get involved CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management Online ™ viewers as well as CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® magazine readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor on topics of interest to the professional cleaning and maintenance industry. Send letters to the editor to [email protected]. Ed Samson 6/8/2010 It depends upon the employee. For some, I would wait until the last day if I feel they www.cmmonline.com 9
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