When should you change your office cleaner? 5 red flags you should look out for

Knowing when to change your office cleaner is crucial for maintaining a clean and hygienic workplace. However, it can be a hard decision to make and follow through with. You may have built up a good personal relationship with your cleaners, but being nice people doesn’t necessarily make them good at their jobs. 

You may be concerned about the process of changing to different cleaners in Worcester. Will there be a gap in service, how do you know the new cleaning will be better than your current one? Will there be a cost difference? 

These are valid concerns and ones that we at Cleaning Technique are used to dealing with. With our nearly 40 years of experience as a family-run business, we understand your concerns and can personally walk through the process of switching and allay your fears. When considering a change in Worcester cleaning, let our customers speak for us!

To help you decide if it’s time to make a switch, let us give you some signs to look out for. 

Red flags! 

1. Declining cleaning standards 

If you notice a consistent drop in the overall cleanliness and tidiness of your office space, it’s a clear red flag. This could include unclean floors, dusty surfaces, smudged windows, and poorly maintained restrooms. A decline in cleaning standards can create an unprofessional and uninviting atmosphere for both employees and clients. Sometimes it’s the little things like desks not being cleaned properly. These might seem small but they are among the most heavily used items in any office and it’s key to maintain a high level of cleanliness here, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. 

2. Inconsistent attendance or punctuality

A reliable office cleaner should adhere to a consistent cleaning schedule and arrive promptly as agreed. If your cleaner frequently misses appointments, arrives late, or fails to complete the cleaning within the agreed-upon time frame, it can disrupt the workflow and affect the productivity of your employees. 

Also, look out for cleaners not completing their full hours. This doesn’t necessarily mean arriving late or leaving early, although as mentioned above that’s certainly something to watch out for. But if cleaners are taking extensive breaks (smoke breaks for example), spend an excessive amount of time chatting to employees or are on their phones a lot, this all adds up to lost time and productivity. 

3. Lack of trustworthiness

Office cleaners often work unsupervised, so trustworthiness is critical. If you notice missing or misplaced items, or if you suspect theft or unauthorised access to sensitive areas, it’s a significant red flag. Your office cleaner should be trustworthy and respectful of your office’s belongings and privacy. 

At the other end of the spectrum, are cleaning products being replaced on time and to an adequate standard? If not, this also leads to a lack of trust in their ability to provide for the requirements of your building and staff. 

4. Inadequate communication or responsiveness

Open and clear communication is essential for any service provider. If your office cleaner is unresponsive to your messages or fails to address your concerns and requests promptly, it can lead to misunderstandings and frustration.

5. Failure to adhere to health and safety standards 

Office cleaning involves handling various cleaning agents and equipment. If your cleaner neglects to follow health and safety protocols, it can create potential hazards for employees and visitors. 

For instance, improper use of cleaning chemicals, leaving slippery floors unmarked, or failing to maintain cleaning equipment properly with no colour coding or secure storage, are red flags that should not be ignored. 

The Health and Safety at Work Act states that employers must provide their workers with a safe working environment. It specifically mentions an employer’s duty of care to ensure that the work environment is as safe and hygienic as possible. 

If you encounter any of these red flags and find that your current office cleaner is consistently falling short of your expectations, it may be time to consider making a change. 

Before making a switch, it’s a good idea to communicate your concerns with your current cleaner and give them an opportunity to improve. However, if the issues persist or are not adequately addressed, it’s essential to start exploring alternative Worcester cleaning services that can provide the level of professionalism, reliability, and quality your workplace deserves. 

Don’t ignore the red flag! Take the leap and switch

Maintaining a clean and well-organised office is crucial for employee well-being, productivity, and the overall impression you make on clients and visitors.

Cleaning Technique are experienced cleaners in Worcester who can provide a reliable, tailored cleaning schedule for your business as well as take care of any specialist cleaning needs. We don’t do “package deals”, only bespoke services individually designed around the needs of our clients. Get in touch today and see how we can help you to take the stress and worry out of office cleaning.