John Pletz is CEO of ServiceMaster Clean by Pletz, based in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and has hired literally hundreds of cleaning personnel to make his business run. Here he discusses how he chooses the best from the rest.
A professional cleaning contractor will not only bring in the best possible cleaners and take good care of them, but they will screen them before they are hired and provide proper training and guidance. When they do this, you will know that you are getting the best cleaners for your money.
Screening is Key
They will pre-screen all potential cleaners. They will do an in-depth interview with all potential cleaners. Personality profile testing is a plus. They will thoroughly check multiple references from the potential cleaner, and a background check by a professional service will be performed. They should be a drug-free workplace and do pre-employment drug testing. They will do a sex offender web search with official city, county or state agencies and document this search.
If that cleaner is driving a company vehicle, a DMV check of their license will be performed (this at times is provided by the contractor’s insurance provider.) Their Social Security number will have been submitted to the Social Security Administration for verification.
Fully Insured and Trained
They will carry more than the minimum required insurance. This would include General Liability, Workman’s Compensation and Vehicle insurance. I would recommend they carry a multimillion dollar umbrella policy above and beyond their normal insurance requirements.
All cleaners should be off-site trained before being brought to your facility for training. This training would include the Hazard Communication Training as well. They should be trained one on one at least two times by a company trainer. A third training should be a quick review done with a supervisor and at the end of the shift, their work should be checked again. This is basically a triple-train program.
Regular Follow-Ups
Follow up on their work should be often in the beginning of their employment. As they continue to show competence, the supervision checks of their work can be decreased in frequency. Large accounts will have a supervisor or facility manager on site.
Ongoing communication with the cleaning contractor can occur in many forms. A log book on site and regular emailing is a great way to stay in communication. You should have not only their office phone number but cell phone numbers as well. They will not only do daytime visits with you but nighttime visits with their cleaners as well.
