[Rosemary Bolton]

I have a contract with a large solicitors office. Since I have started the number of workers has trebled and we have only been given 1 more hour, to 3 a day. The bins alone take 90minutes and the client has insited on me firing 8 cleaners now as nonne of them can do this impossible task. Every day I get complaint after complaint. Thinking of speaking to head solicitor as it needs more like 9 hours a day. What should I do?

[Robert Parry]

Hi Rosemary,

In all contracts there should be a paragraph that covers this situation, so that hours/tasks etc. can reflect the many changes that can occur over the contract period.

Who decided the extra hour a day would be sufficient? Your client or you?

If the client decided to allow the extra hour a day, why did you not explain to them, that this would be insufficient, politely of course 

If, however, in your judgement an extra hour per day would cover it, and it isn't, then I would explain to the client, that you made a mistake and ask for their understanding.

This situation has probably arisen due to one of two factors :-

1.    Perhaps the job has been surveyed improperly, not allowing enough time to actually complete the tasks required to achieve the cleaning standards required,         
       during any survey, it is vital to obtain all of the required information, in order to realistically reach a price to be quoted. You either failed to ask all of the required
       questions, perhaps due to in-experience or your client failed to mention their expansion plans to you at the start.

2.    Your client has absolutely no idea of the amount of work that the building requires in order to maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness.

You may also find this old post useful
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=127219.msg1101086;topicseen#msg1101086

Hope this helps,

and don't panic, we all make mistakes!

Regards,

Rob