Contract Cleaning

Contract cleaning is no longer regarded first and foremost as a single service in its own right, as it is being increasingly incorporated into the range of services offered by facilities management (fm) companies. For large companies and organizations, contract cleaning may be provided for one site or for multisite contracts, either as a standalone service or as one of a bundle of services (along with security or catering, for example). The contract cleaning industry faces important challenges. In a market in which contract budgets are very low, it is becoming ever more important to provide a highquality service over several years.

Compared with other industries, contract cleaning often has a poor image, perhaps because it is a cost that is not immediately seen to be relevant to clients' profits or budgets. At the same time, it is recognized that, without proper cleaning, premises become untidy, inefficient and potentially hazardous to health. Staff recruitment and retention continue to be key issues for the industry, as a result of competition from other labour intensive sectors, such as security and catering. There is scope for more training in contract cleaning, in order to develop skills on which a career can be based. An increase in the national minimum wage will see further labour issues arise for contract cleaning companies, which will have to ensure that recruitment and employment terms comply with the requirements specified by the new equality and human rights commission. Health and safety for contract cleaning staff and their customers is also an area in which safeguards must be taken. Proper management and disposal of cleaning waste materials is now an important responsibility for contract cleaners.