A Well Trained Cleaing Crew Reduces Employee Turnover

Writen by Steve Hanson

The performance provided by a cleaning crew member on the job is dependent upon many different factors. Among these, two that should be considered most important are the general attitude, as well as the job-specific skills of the given employee. Therefore, to reduce employee turnover, it is vital that you look at both of these issues and do what can be done to improve them, in order to create a well-trained cleaning crew, which will be in it for the long haul.

Consider the following: the standard rate of turnover within the cleaning industry is commonly within the range of 200 and 300%. Obviously, this is a notable number, which will provide quite the struggle for any employer who is trying to run a successful business. So how can an employer remedy this situation and reduce employee turnover?

It is a fact that when it comes to the cleaning industry, it is more important to hire new employees who have a good general attitude. Though they may not yet have the job-specific skills, these are much easier to teach than a positive, loyal, hardworking attitude. Thus, in order to reduce employee turnover, you must then produce a well-trained cleaning crew made up of individuals with superior general attitudes, who have been brought together and trained by your own exceptional training program.

Once you have hired an employee, it becomes your organization's responsibility to provide that individual with the training required to build the specific skills that are necessary for properly performing the job. An individual should come into the job with the right attitude, valuing punctuality, dependability, and friendliness, and then learn how to operate the needed equipment and complete the other various tasks.

Hiring for attitude and training for skills is the mantra of any cleaning business that aims to reduce employee turnover. By investing in a quality training program and producing a well-trained cleaning crew, you will not only benefit from a reduced turnover among your staff, but you will also witness heightened productivity, and a lowering of overall costs.

Overall safety is also a benefit to maintaining a well-trained cleaning crew, as such a team will be well advised as to the use and maintenance of tools and equipment, the proper signage for dangerous situations and materials, and the ideal organization and storage for any cleaning materials. Over time, this will lead to the ability to reduce employee turnover costs, and sick-time.

Best of all, a well-trained cleaning crew is much more likely to be motivated and happy on the job. When an employee knows precisely what he or she is supposed to do and how to do it, there is a sense of belonging, purpose, and achievement, which is lacking when training is deficient.

Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM), an online community for owners and managers of cleaning companies who want to build a more profitable and successful cleaning business. Sign up for Trash Talk: Tip of the Week at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com and receive a Free Gift!