[Cinders]

Hi,

I am just reading through a Point to Point pdf I was kindly e-mailed from someone on here a while back.

I was wondering how many other people on this forum are operating in this way on the domestic side as an 'agency'.  Subcontracting cleaners to clients.

My cleaners work for me but i was wondering what other peoples opinions are between the two ways of running things and the pro's and cons' if anyone can help?

Thanks
 

[dustdees]

Hi Cinders,


I may work for some people, but personally I wouldn't touch agencies with a barge pole, they may be ok for for putting in End of Tennacy cleans where no one is occupied but that's about all. It's the police check aspect, but maybe i'm wrong!

[Cinders]

One of my local 'competitioin' runs their business this way.  They describe themselves as an 'introduction' agency.  Who is responsible for the PL insurance in this situation?

It would certainly put me off having to leave money for the cleaner but pay a fee to the 'agency' in advance.  Who wants to pay for something that they have not yet received?

Im just trying to find out the pro's and con's of an agency and directly hiring staff so I can use it to my advantage in my sales pitch!

 

[Lesley J]

two different agencies have opened and closed in my area, within the last six months, they cannot get the cleaners to work for them as the pay is low, and the cleaners do not get any holiday or sick pay entitlement as they are all self employed. I employ all of my cleaners and they stay with me because I pay well. I now employ one of them and what she tells me about her time with the agency would make your hair stand on end.  Lesley J

[Cinders]

Thanks for you reply...very interesting! I myself dont see why cleaners would want to work for an agency as you say they are not getting paid for hol/sickness yet forfeiting some of their money to the agency for what seems to be 'no reason at all'.
 

[pdl]

However, if they work for a reputable Agency, (not as self employed) then they will get good wages and all the other benifits that a regular employee should receive by law which includes sickness/holiday pay.

I Know, as part of my business interest's do include running an agency that is not connected to the cleaning industry.  The 40-50 or so employees actually get paid more than my regular clients own employees, they enjoy all the benifits of being a full time employee and as they work for an agency their destiney is in their own hands and only work when they want to work, they only accept assignments that they want to do, they can earn as little or as much as they like.  Some people prefer flexibility and with an Agency they get it.

[bluesky1]

With regards to agencies,most replies on here are totally incorrect. If you look at all the major and sucessful franchises,such as molly maid,merry maids ect they are all run as agencies.It is also incorrect that cleaners are not paid holidays ect,the client is classed as the employer and they have to page holiday ect.Some of these franchisees have 1000,s of customers so surely the system works.It is also a myth that cleaners are paid poorly,by agencies.

[Robert Parry]

Bluesky,

Do you mean that the franchises just introduce the client's to the cleaners?

Not being interested in this sphere of operations, I would have no idea, but know someone who runs one of these operations(hates it, by the way!), and I believe that he is responsible for holiday/sickness and E/PL insurance.

Regards,

Rob