The cleaning scandal that could trap your business: How to hire an ethical cleaner

When a new report shows that ‘67 per cent of jobs advertised below the minimum award wage are in cleaning’, here’s how to make sure your Sydney commercial cleaning supplier is doing the right thing, so your business is too.

This upsetting new report from INCLEAN, shows there can be dubious operators in the cleaning industry. 

“67 per cent of jobs advertised below the minimum award wage were in cleaning”

Our own research of our inner-Sydney commercial cleaning clients who were surveyed recently showed us that all are worried that they’re using a cleaner who shares their values.  

“It’s alarming that employers unashamedly exploit and underpay vulnerable migrant workers, all while Australia experiences lagging migration rates and deals with claims of labour shortages,” Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey 

When we asked our clients what they most wanted from a cleaner, they rated ‘ethical treatment of staff’ at the top, equally important to ‘price predictability’ and having a ‘clear scope of work’.

Here are the top three questions to ask you Sydney commercial cleaner.

1) How do I know you share our company values?

Asking your company about what they value, straight up, will give you a clear idea about things.

I am resolute in my answer, proud GBS Commercial Cleaning hold a higher standard in our industry for the proper treatment of our cleaners.

Back in 2008 I branched out on my own to start GBS Cleaning. To me it was a natural fit for me and my family. It may not have seemed so on the face of it. I had plenty of degrees and corporate experience. A cleaning business might not have seemed quite prestigious.

I wanted to be a business owner, though. This was about running my own show. GBS Cleaning allowed me to decide on how I spend my days and apply my fastidious personality to help someone else.

14 years later, I found another benefit. I’ve built a team, whose families and lives I enjoy being part of.

I send my thanks to the GBS Commercial Cleaning team who have all chosen this work to benefit their goals and provide for their families.

2)   Can I talk to you about the award you pay your staff?

My staff are paid correctly based on the right Award.

My staff also benefit from training and are well supported around their own family responsibilities. That’s why they represent us proudly and do a good job for our clients.

3)   What accreditation do you have to keep staff and my business safe?

Cleaning is a very physical job. When you’re lifting and carrying and using chemicals, lots of things could go wrong. If there is a job where workplace accidents are common, it would be in cleaning.

To keep your business from being liable and protect the safety of cleaning staff, the most important safety accreditation is a workplace health and safety certificate and we’re insured by workers compensation.

All my staff are trained and up to standard that’s important to give our clients the assurance they need.