[kisu8]

What to do if a cleaner I employed steals from the clients and how do I solve this?
Please share your solutions!

[Len Gribble]

I can only comment what I done, I once had a cleaner who stole from a commercial customer £400 the customer did not want to pursue it as they got the money back, but I did!  The way I looked at it, it’s my name soiled with the customer not the cleaners. It funny the same happened again in the same shop a mouth later this time it turned out to be the manager thinking he could blame the cleaner.

Not to sure what you mean by solving this? If they are that type they will.

What I have said to staff, if you find anything on the floor pick it up and put on the counter not in your pocket.

Len

[martin19842]

hi there,

ive been involved in commercial cleaning now for over 6 years, in differing roles.

I have had a couple of instances where items have gone missing.

firstly its all too easy to blame the cleaners, and i do insist on a thorough investigation, and i if in my opinion there is any doubt i always insist on bringing in the police.

Where eveidenc is overwhelming, i have dealt face to face with the employee. and have actually recovered goods.  and in some instances have retained the client.

it s a very difficult situation, however i also feel that being upfront with the client tends to win you brownine points there.  And i think that the client sees that in their eyes you are doing the best you can do for them.

unfortunatley i dont think that you willtotally elimiate the possibility of this happening

regards

martin

[Ian Gourlay]

In my opinion you should always call the police.

Cleaners always get the blaim but is their any real evidence or is it just suspision and an acertive client.

Len has said it turned out to be The Manager the second time.

Was the evidence strong against the cleaner in the first instance,

Another Question would you sack on suspision and circunstantial evidence.

[Doug Holloway]

Hi,

In the seventies I cleaned carpets every Saturday at a blue chip company in central london.

It was well known that the security guards did most of the nicking and the cleaners got most of the blame!

Cheers,

Doug

[Len Gribble]

Ian

In the first instance I bluffed it stating I was going to look the cct that they have and would have looked at! The second time I was the cleaner as the new staff person called in sick a few days before, I would always give the benefit of doubt, but there are ways of getting the truth, even if you tell staff porkies!

Have to agree with Doug it’s always cleaners first, security more than likely in some cases, I wonder why is it because they are mainly contractors!

Len

[carloso]

hi kisu8 and all

well this is a difficult subject.

first as pointed out you have your reputation to consider.

second you have employment law to consider.

third you have the vague things.

By this i mean, what are the consequences of simply sitting down an employee and fronting him/her out, well if they say they are going, and you tell them to sit down and listen and they do, well guess what ,they can serve you for wrongful arrest. why? because arrest is simply removing someones liberty.
thats all before we go into emploment law etc.
so all in all it's a minefield.
i therefore have two suggestions, firstly have a plan upfront, go to your local police and seek knowledge prior to an event occuring.
second if you can afford to,( it's cheap) have a look at joining the fsb it will if you have to use there legal advice support save you a fortune, if you don't you can just have a discount off your holiday

cheers
   

[Chris Bailey]

Hi

I agree with the last, you need to be prepared before hand.  This can simple be done with the staff hand book, making employees aware that if there is any suggestions of theft etc from both parties i.e. employees and customers faking it then this will be reported to the police.

As far as the employee is concerned you need to have a meeting(s) with them rather than telling them to sit and listen, don't dismiss them straight away, be seen to be investigating if possible as the tribunals like to see this.  During the meeting you need to explain the situation and accusations and agree a plan of action with them including the short term action you will take i.e. agree that you will either suspend them from duties, with pay or transfer them to another site where they can be monitored, this will cover you on the employment law bit as it is all about consultation with employees.   You need to explain that this is a temporary situation until the facts have been determined.  Keep your customer aware of the action you have taken, keeping them on side throughout will help to maintain the customer client relationship albeit somewhat damaged.

You then need to carry out a full investigation, which could simply be "it was there then it wasn't, and theres no one else it could be" which I can imagine is the typical responce from a customer but cctv should be checked as well as in/out logs if they are available.

Sometimes its clear cut, I had a customer ring me about £2.35 that had gone missing, I set a trap with £1.20 and that went, there was no-one else in the building so clear cut, he was dismissed there and then.

Prevention is better than cure.  You need to look at your recruitment policy, we have all got the reference details but how many of us actually check up??  Employment should be subjuct to satisfactory references from previous employees and others (I ask for 3 refs)

bit of a mine field so tred carefully

You can get loads of employment info from www.acas.org.uk they are a friendly service and well worth ringing

Hope this helps

Chris

Chris

[Londoner]

Employing people is a total nightmare for all sorts of reasons, this being just one of them.

I have built my business around being a one man band and it is a lot better.
Staff let you down in many ways. If you are lucky and find a good employee then you are blessed but otherwise, in my opinion, they are not worth the trouble.

[Ken Wainwright]

Sorry to disagree with you Vince, but even the best employee in the world can be a pain in the bum   They turn up on time, work well, don't watch the clock, don't moan about the pay, they earn you money, the custards love 'em.........BUT  They have holidays so you have to re-schedule, tone down or close down for a few weeks, they can be ill, cause cash flow problems, you have to think for them, plan for them, give them sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, vehicles, administration, employment laws, workers rights, Employers Liability....... All of this is great for the dynamic businessman who wants to rule the world (if his heart and ulcers give him that long) But for the trademen like us who want to earn a decent living, save a bit for a rainy day and to sleep at night, solo is the way to go

Been there, done that, washed the Tee Shirt and happy on my own again.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[Ian Gourlay]

Ken,

Ok you want to take things easy now. You have respect and you have earnt it.

The Question is how long did you employ  staff for and for how long.

[Gail]

I worked alone when I started my business and it's not only hard work but I got bored quickly.   And I wanted to expand and make more money. 

From my first day in the business when I was cleaning alone, I ran it like a professional business with employees.  I had the forms and told new prospects I clean the houses before turning them over to a team.

This worked and eventually I started hiring employees, one at a time.  Each one was trained and worked on my team until they passed the probation period.

Even though I worked out of my home, my employees knew from the first interview that I ran a professional business.  I discussed theft with them and also covered it in the Policy and Procedure manual and Training manual (that I wrote myself).

Putting some preventive measures in place, like purses are left in the vehicle under the seat, prevented them from having a place to hide items.  I also continued to test employees by leaving money in their work area and following up during the inspection before leaving the property. 

If you have leads, they can do the tests for you.  You'll find your leads will be more trustworty and serious about their job.  Nobody wants to work with someone they don't respect and could jeopardize their job.