Have name changed.
I run a contract cleaning firm.
About 3 months ago was asked to do a quote for a large office. Told the client it would need 30 hours a week as it is on several floors and lot of employees there.
Client got back to me and said they will only pay for 12 hours and can I amend the quote. Told them the only way we could do 12 hours is in one shift at weekend when premises are empty as cleaning around people at their desks is difficult as you cannot reach the majority of the desks as people are busy working. Also if we were to split this over several sessions things like toilets would need doing each time.
They agreed to contract and a day before us starting said they wanted 3 lots of 4 hour shifts during the day when staff were in.
Told them we would not be able to do all the jobs and would supply them with a specification of what would be done on each shift as most jobs would have to be done rotationally.
Gave them specification, it was given to the MD and an amended one was sent back to me with 8 hours worth of jobs in each shift. I explained this would be impossible unless cleaner did a rush job on every task and no tasks would get done properly.
Took on member of staff and gave her the correct H&S training in safe use of equipment. Trained her for a week and then left her unsupervised. On her second shift unsupervised she phoned me as the client had given her a set of ladders and was requesting she carried out high level cleaning, despite having not done a risk assessment on this and she was not trained in the use of ladders. Told her not to do it and contacted client explaining if they wanted high level cleaning we would have to use our equipment and the additional training and risk assessment would be done at an additional cost.
On her third shift unsupervised they gave me one month's notice and so I asked for details of incoming contractor as cleaner's job is protected under TUPE regulations and by law must transfer to new firm or I could end up in a tribunal. As of yet they are refusing to give me these details as they do not want the cleaner. Allegedly she is rubbish but I inspected the site yesterday and I think she is doing a good job on the limited hours she has. Client now angry with me as he wants rid of cleaner. However he never complained to me, just cancelled contract meaning someone with few employment law rights now has the right to claim unfair dismissal, even with short service, as TUPE is prioritised over service time.
I am disappointed to be honest, especially for my employee who is really good at her job. Turned up to see her yesterday and she had even bought my ds a gift. She was in tears yesterday when I explained what was going on.