Hi Sean,
Yes I employ on both contract cleaning and Window Cleaning. And guess what I also do the work as well, not with them all the time they are at other sites etc.
Motivation is a bit of an issue. Lets face facts here.. wether you clean an office, Clean windows guess what its still cleaning.
Its different when like myself I employ. Me being the "Big Cheese" as the staff call me sometimes, They probably call me alot worse but I have not heard it yet!
I swap them round, if they want. That helps. Its all a bit mundane isn't it.. oh look another window... :
So I find a week on windows a week on office cleaning helps. Sometimes I get them to get the supplies, drop off at sites etc. I do this so there days are mixed.
I dont keep them all chained up each day. Its swings and roundabouts... you can operate it like an office where a tea break is set at a certain time. Cigerette break no more than 5 minutes. But that wont help.
Be relaxed, and TRUST is most important. I dont mind if they finish early. On the condition they get the work done at a professional 1st class finish.
I find the hardest part of employing people is that some, most of them are really likeable. You can become a bit paly.. freindly. You have to let them know that you are the boss and have standards, you are running a business and that you need reliability. If difficult if one needs a warning you see so you need to draw the line from boss to friend
I cant remember if you have WFP Sean, but I find it if you employ and do tradtional work, you will need a ladder. We do trad and WFP Dont just employ some poor lad or ladette (Girl) to just carry the ladder all day every day. They will get fed up and think what am I doing it for. Share it out and make sure its shared out.
I did a job Computer Cleaning internal cleans and external. Now I hired this new lad... He was a fast learner, and his work was good... No in fact his work was superb considering it was his first time in cleaning computers. I quoted several days work. Guess what he was fast, finished on day 1. quality work that I could not fault and the company I did the work for were amazed at the clean. I gave the lad a bonus. I earnt out of it. That was only a few days ago.
Many people do not look after their guys. And if it was not for the staff there would be no company full stop. Its ok for us including myself to take a fat cut, and yes rightly so its my business.. But if you have a good team, tell them, show your appreciation. Its not always about giving money but money is a big motivator. And so is someone saying thanks lads you worked well. Lets go for a drink. (You buy them a round). Seriously goes along way.
If you havent employed people yet, make sure you get a proper employment contract, not just given to you buy someone off of a forum. It needs to be designed for you, to protect you. Yes it fine getting copies ideas... but you might not be covered and it wont cost the earth. Put them on a trial period of say 3 months. If they are no good you can give them the boot easily in the 3 months. You can still sack them in the 1st year if you need to.
Its about being flexible, understanding. And if they go ill, sick...it does not mean they are pulling a fast one. Not all the time.
If you employ more than 5 or so you will need a full h&s and grievience procedure and employement hand book etc. Again dont just borrow... you might regret it. This is not meant to disrespect anyone on the forum in anyway. Each and every company operates differently and as such will need a different set of regulatios etc.
As when it comes to a tribunal you could find yourself in the water.
Dave
