[tabitha]

Has anyone had this problem with some customers that when they misplace something or lose someting they automatically think its the cleaner. I  don't have this problem often but i do i hate it because i"m such a trustworthy person. for example a customer said to me the other day that some of her cups have gone missing and have i seen them! I just find it so annoying it just makes me think cleaning houses isnt worth the hassle

[Phild]

It goes with the territory Tabitha. I don't know if you employ people but we make theft a Golden Rule. If you take something, whatever the value, and it doesn't belong to you, you get the 'Black Spot' aka you're finished. ( I could go on about ET's (employment tribunals) where we have had to cough up cash over this but that would make me seem cynical about overpaid silly servants and jobsworths so I won't)

If a customer ever mentions possible theft we offer to call the police straight away if they haven't already done it themselves. That soon makes people think of what they are actually saying/ accusing you (and your staff) of as they normally back-pedal with a screech of brakes.

Putting it in perspective though and I hate to say this, your staff won't share your morals and ethics. Why should they? They are probably fighting to survive on NMW and see your clients as 'rich' people just like insurance companies are seen as fair game even though it's the people who pay for insurance who pick up the tab. (no joke intended)

I think all you can do is check staff out as much as possible, it sounds strange but also get a 'feel' for your customers as many of them will be tea-leafs in a different way and stick to a black & white philosophy. If it ain't yours leave it alone, especially on a client's premises.

Best of luck. Don't let them get you down!


Phil D

[Pristine Clean]

We had this only a couple of times. Once we were called in as some Valuable items went missing. We were also new to the company so straight away we got the blame.

I also called the Police straight after the meeting. Who visited site and us.

However I went s step further, I knew what went missing, and where from and most people go back for 2nds.

I set up a small pin hole camera with a wireless video recorder... for so many days noting, and then we got called back in. Same thing and I also took with me the equipment a tape.

We did get a little telling off as we did not have permission to record. But that was a small price to pay to prove it was not my staff.

Proved to be a long trusted employee of their company and nothing to do with us at all.

As Phil says it goes with the territory. It not unusual.  to get the blame for damages, theft, and anything else that fits the bill.

Dave

We still have the contract today and have had it for many years.   

[Phild]

I think the camera idea is great. I wish I had the b*lls to do that :-) PhilD

[Adam P]

dave: so you set up a camera in someone's office and left it there on record? if so i'm amazed you got away with that

[Neil kell]

We had this only a couple of times. Once we were called in as some Valuable items went missing. We were also new to the company so straight away we got the blame.

I also called the Police straight after the meeting. Who visited site and us.

However I went s step further, I knew what went missing, and where from and most people go back for 2nds.

I set up a small pin hole camera with a wireless video recorder... for so many days noting, and then we got called back in. Same thing and I also took with me the equipment a tape.

We did get a little telling off as we did not have permission to record. But that was a small price to pay to prove it was not my staff.

Proved to be a long trusted employee of their company and nothing to do with us at all.

As Phil says it goes with the territory. It not unusual.  to get the blame for damages, theft, and anything else that fits the bill.

Dave

We still have the contract today and have had it for many years.   

You sick animal! - Oh wait a minute - Niiiccceeee!!!!

[Pristine Clean]

dave: so you set up a camera in someone's office and left it there on record? if so i'm amazed you got away with that

Well we got a telling off. But at least we proved it was not us. They were more annoyed at then accusing us incorrectly.

We could have been fined, but they never proceeded. Like i said we still have the contract and there employee got the sack

[jamescsp]

Well we got a telling off. But at least we proved it was not us. They were more annoyed at then accusing us incorrectly.

We could have been fined, but they never proceeded. Like i said we still have the contract and there employee got the sack

I support you. See in business reputation matters a lot. If your image is being spoiled in market then I think using camera or any other such step which proves your honesty is right. You may be questioned about the camera but you can not be accused for stealing. Nice idea.

[tabitha]

thanks for all the advice