Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 25th July 2024 Issue no. 1124
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I suppose that as a journalist, I shouldn't be saying that I never believe anything I read in the press - well not without thorough investigation from several sources, anyway! However, I'm going to take this image that's doing the rounds on Facebook at face value, for the purposes of the comment I'm about to make.
An ex-cleaner pointed out to me the difference between companies such as Amazon and the small cleaning companies working hard to keep their clients happy whilst ensuring that any employees can earn a good living and that taxes are being paid, but which the system seems to pin down so they're unable to ever be anything other than a small business or get beyond the 'one man band' stage.
I've always been of the opinion that each of us should earn enough for the work we do, to be able to enjoy a reasonable standard of living. I support the growing band of companies paying what is known as a 'living wage' and only wish there were more of them. I am aware though that the burden it puts on employers to pay over and above what is legally required, is sometimes more than they can afford.
Speaking to some of the smaller cleaning contractors as well as those involved in domestic cleaning, I've discovered that many face a sticking point... They're working at full capacity and because they're doing a good job, they're approached by potential new clients to whom they've been recommended. They want to take on the extra work, but the cost of employing one or more new members of staff and paying them a living wage - when added to the extra administration and equipment the new contracts will demand as well as all the extra taxes involved - means it's just not worth expanding the business since it will create a loss rather than produce a profit.
It's a difficult one, isn't it?
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Yours,
26th September 2019