Let the Experts Handle It: Why You Should Outsource a Commercial Cleaning Service

group of professional cleaners cleaning an office commercial cleaning concept

If the past three years have shown us anything, it’s that cleanliness is key to a happy and healthy work environment — but keeping the workplace clean isn’t as easy as it once was. Amid the current labor shortage, many businesses are having a hard time hiring cleaners. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that more than 1 million hospitality workers left their jobs in 2023 alone; that includes cleaners. Rather than continue to try to hire their employees, many businesses are now looking to outsource commercial cleaning services. Read on to learn why you might consider outsourcing a commercial cleaning service and how trusted experts like System4 Milwaukee can keep your facility clean and your employees happy.

Big Savings

Money matters. By outsourcing your commercial cleaning needs, you can save your business thousands. Rather than paying a salary, benefits, and insurance fees for your employees, you can pay a low, flat rate. System4 Milwaukee offers a monthly rate for your facility’s needs, including the supplies and equipment to get the job done. Bonus: System4 Milwaukee does not require long-term contracts.

Quality Control

Outsourcing also means you don’t have to worry about managing your cleaning crew. System4 Milwaukee works with a select network of local, vetted, and experienced cleaning teams and oversees every part of the cleaning process. We also put extensive quality control measures in place so you can trust your facility is being properly cleaned and maintained.

Industry-Leading Service

The cleanliness of your facility is essential. That’s why you should only work with credentialed cleaners you can trust. At System4 Milwaukee, we ensure all cleaning teams undergo extensive training through the Spartan CleanCheck Training System. We also use rigorous cleaning and disinfecting procedures customized to your specific space, ensuring every area meets your standards.

Get a Commercial Cleaning Provider You Can Count On

Rather than handling the headaches of hiring your cleaning team, consider outsourcing to a commercial cleaning provider like System4 Milwaukee to save money, ensure quality, and keep your space clean. Get a free, no-obligation quote and personalized assessment of your facility’s unique needs — and get a quality cleaning service you can count on.

Keep it Clean! What to Expect From Your Commercial Cleaning Service

commercial cleaning

Businesses often rely on the janitorial services provided by a commercial cleaning service. Unfortunately, not all cleaning services are created equal. When your commercial cleaning service starts to feel a little lacking, it can leave a negative impression on your customers. Your commercial cleaning service should leave your business feeling fresh and cared for.

Clear Communication & Feedback

Your commercial cleaning service should be providing you with clear avenues for communication. This means that you should be provided with the information of who to call when you have a question, comment, or concern. Clear communication also means that your commercial cleaning service effectively details what services have been provided and can identify any areas of opportunity for making your business a cleaner and healthier environment.

Responsiveness

An immediate response from your commercial cleaning service can be the difference between a repeat customer and a lost customer. Concerns such as improper storage of cleaning supplies, a lack of proper signage for wet floors, and unsanitary conditions are all liabilities to your employees and customers. The National Safety Council estimates that work-related injuries caused an estimated $44.8 billion in wage and productivity losses in 2020. That’s why a timely response to concerns and issues is of the utmost importance for a commercial cleaning service.

Completing the Scope of Work

When your business is paying for a service, you expect to have the full scope of work completed. When your cleaning service provides a lackluster performance or disregards entire areas of need, it can be a frustrating experience.

Proper Training & Management

Statistics show that the cleaning industry is a consistently growing field with low retention rates. With thousands of professionals being projected to enter the industry, it is important to make sure that your commercial cleaning service is requiring extensive training from their employees. Your cleaning service should communicate any specialized training that their employees have undergone. Your cleaning service should also provide management to their teams to ease the burden on your business. System4 Milwaukee provides ISSA CITS-endorsed training using Spartan Chemical’s CleanCheck Training system. An effective training system such as Spartan Chemical’s CleanCheck Training results in safer, more productive, and more efficient workers.

System4 Milwaukee Can Help

If your commercial cleaning service has not been meeting your high standards, System4 Milwaukee can provide a Free Quality Audit to identify how our team can better suit your needs. Our team of dedicated professionals will inspect your facilities for proper cleaning procedures and devise a customized scope of work to suit the needs of your business.

Contact us today to schedule your Free Quality Audit.

Workplace Safety: Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Employees Speak Out

Clean workplace

Nearly three years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, for the very first time, office occupancy in 10 major US cities crossed the 50% mark, according to data from security swipe company Kastle Systems. But as employees continue to return to the office, they’re placing greater emphasis on cleaning as a workplace safety priority.

In a survey conducted by the Cleaning Coalition of America, employees spoke about their return to work priorities and the role cleaning plays in the workplace. This piece will share some of the findings and what we have learned.

Clean Workplaces Help With Employee Retention

The survey found that 43% of Americans fear physically returning to work could risk their health and safety, and 38% would consider quitting if cleaning wasn’t done regularly. With a tight labor market, employers cannot afford to lose employees because of cleaning issues. Meticulous commercial cleaning services can help with employee retention.

Workplace Cleaning: Employees Speak Out

Here’s a taste of what Americans had to say about their workplace cleaning practices:

“Clean our workspace like you would clean your home. We live here, too,” stated a frustrated employee. If there were one word to summarize the survey, it would be CARE. Respondents were also worried about more than Covid infections; as one noted, “Cleaning and disinfecting is important in any workplace to prevent any infection, not just Covid.”

Employers were called out for cheaping out on cleaning services. “Hire the best and most qualified company, not the cheapest. It is so much more important now,” one respondent stated. And one worker shared that “cleaning attracts customers” and thus is ultimately beneficial to a company’s bottom line.

Increased Emphasis on Workplace Safety

89% of Americans rated cleaning protocols as very or somewhat important as a priority, and 77% said cleaning should be done at least once daily. Having professional cleaners would make 62% of the respondents feel safe and more protected from Covid. Practices like disinfection of shared spaces and provision of hand sanitizers found favor with a majority of respondents.

Both Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Employees Prioritized Cleaning

Regarding cleaning protocols, vaccinated and unvaccinated employees agree. 93% of vaccinated expressed an increased emphasis on cleaning protocols compared to 82% of unvaccinated employees. A supermajority of both, over two-thirds, also agreed that the workplace should be cleaned at least once daily.

In summary, cleaning has emerged as a top workplace safety priority in the post-pandemic era. Hiring an excellent commercial cleaning service provider will be essential for HR directors, facility managers, and general managers as workers return to the office.

At System4 Milwaukee, we provide commercial cleaning services to help workplaces offer clean, healthy, and inviting spaces. And the process starts with a quality audit. We will inspect your facility for proper cleaning & disinfecting protocol, take measurements, and develop a customized scope of work for your facility. Please reach out to us for a free quality audit.

Raising the Standards: Setting Expectations for Your Cleaning Crew

Cleaning contractors in an office

When it comes to keeping your facility clean and presentable, there’s no room for mediocrity. But are you getting the service you expect from your cleaning crew? As business managers, HR representatives, and property managers, you have a lot on your plate, and it can be easy to let cleaning slip to the bottom of your list of priorities. But with a little attention and effort, you can ensure that your cleaning crew meets your expectations and that you’re getting the most value for your money.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some key areas where your cleaning crew may need to catch up and offer tips for improving their performance. From attendance and scope of work to responsiveness and insurance, we’ll help you ensure that your cleaning crew is up to par.

Is Your Cleaning Crew Showing Up?

The labor shortage is real and one of the biggest challenges facing commercial cleaning companies today is the labor shortage. With historically low unemployment rates, finding and retaining reliable workers can take time and effort. Make sure that your team is showing up on time and completing the work that is expected of them.

Review Your Scope of Work

Is your cleaning team covering all scope items? It’s essential to clearly understand what is included in your agreement with the cleaning company. Review your scope of work to ensure that your team is cleaning all the areas included in your contract. This includes common areas, restrooms, kitchens, and other high-traffic areas. Make sure your team cleans and disinfects these areas regularly to maintain a healthy and clean environment for your employees and customers.

How Responsive Is Your Cleaning Company?

When issues arise, it’s essential to know how responsive your cleaning company is. Make sure they have a system for quickly addressing and resolving problems. A good cleaning company will communicate clearly and work to resolve any issues that come up promptly. They should also be willing to go above and beyond to ensure that your facility is cleaned to your satisfaction.

Are You Protected?

Lastly, it’s essential to ensure that your cleaning company has insurance. Both general liability and workers comp should be required to protect your business in case of any accidents or injuries on the job. This will provide peace of mind and ensure you are protected should anything happen while the cleaning crew is on your property.

Conclusion

It is important to regularly evaluate the performance of your cleaning crew to ensure that you are getting value for the money you are paying. You can ensure that your facility is always in top condition by keeping a close eye on factors such as attendance, the scope of work, responsiveness, and insurance.

Consider a change if your current cleaning crew needs to catch up in any of these areas. System4 Milwaukee offers a Free Quality Audit. We will inspect your facility for proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures and develop a customized scope of work tailored to your specific needs.

Don’t let a subpar cleaning crew hold your business back. Contact us today to schedule your Free Quality Audit and take the first step toward a cleaner, more efficient facility.

New Year, New Look: Time to Reevaluate Your Commercial Cleaning Crew

Cleaning crew working in an office

It’s a new year, so it’s the perfect time to take a fresh look at your commercial cleaning crew. As an office cleaning decision-maker, HR professional, or office manager, you know the importance of keeping your workspace clean and tidy for the health and well-being of your employees and patrons. But with the challenges of the pandemic still ongoing, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your cleaning crew is doing everything they can to keep your office safe and sanitized. Here are a few things to consider as you reevaluate your commercial cleaning crew.

Proper Cleaning & Disinfecting Procedures

One of the most important things to look for in a commercial cleaning crew is their attention to detail in cleaning and disinfecting. This means making sure they are thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all high-touch areas, such as light switches, door handles, push plates, and kick plates. These areas can harbor germs and bacteria, and it’s essential to ensure they are properly cleaned and disinfected regularly to prevent the spread of illness.

Showing Up to Work

With the current labor shortage, finding reliable cleaning crew members can take time and effort. This is why it’s important to ensure your commercial cleaning crew is showing up to work on time and ready to tackle the job. If you’re noticing a pattern of missed days or a lack of commitment from your cleaning crew, consider finding a new team.

Workplace Safety

Workplace safety is of the utmost importance. Not only is it crucial to protect the well-being of your employees, but it’s also essential to create a safe and clean environment for your patrons. This can not only reduce the risk of accidents or injuries but also contribute to a more pleasant and professional atmosphere for everyone. It’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure your workplace is safe and clean. This could include regular cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, properly storing hazardous materials, and implementing necessary safety protocols.

Don’t Let Subpar Cleaning Hold Your Office Back in the New Year

As we welcome the new year, it’s a great time to take a fresh look at your commercial cleaning crew and make sure you’re getting the best service possible. At System4 Milwaukee, we offer free quality audits to inspect your facility and ensure proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures are being followed. We can also take some measurements and develop a customized scope of work specifically tailored to your needs.

Contact Us for a Free Quality Audit or Quote

Don’t let subpar cleaning hold your office back in the new year. Contact us for more information on how we can help give your facility a fresh, clean start in the new year.

Why Your Employees Shouldn’t Be Doing Your Janitorial Work.

why your employees should not be doing your janitorial work

As a business owner and operator, do what you do best and leave the cleaning to us! When you are running a business, there are so many things to manage. Why have your employees doubled as your cleaning team doing janitorial work?

You think it will save you money. Your employees are trained to do what they do best, not clean. Commercial cleaners are trained and have the correct equipment to be much more efficient. Also, chances are your insurance doesn’t cover cleaning tasks. Worker’s Compensation lawsuits can add up quickly.

Your employees may clean their homes but that doesn’t mean they can clean your office. Cleaning your home does not translate to cleaning commercial spaces. There are far more people in your office than in a home. That means more dust, dirt, debris, and germs. Don’t leave it to chance.

Make sure you have the correct Chemicals, Equipment & Training. Pine-sol might be ok for your home however your commercial space requires industrial-grade cleaning solutions as well as proper equipment and training. You can’t afford to have your employees out sick so please make sure your high touch areas are properly disinfected by killing all pathogens.

At System4, promoting a healthy & safe environment for your employees & patrons is our #1 priority.

We offer “Free Quality Audits” by inspecting your facility for proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures. While we’re there we can take some measurements and develop a customized Scope of Work for your facility. We have a select network of local, vetted, and experienced cleaning service providers who will make sure that your business is promoting a healthy and safe environment for your employees and patrons! Get started with System4 as your janitorial work experts!

Outsourcing Commercial Cleaning Can Help During a Labor Shortage

Commercial cleaning in office space.

Is your medical or dental office running out of employees? Or is the same happening to your physician group or rehab center? You are not the only one – all businesses are struggling to both keep the existing workers and find new ones.

Unfortunately, the entire world is experiencing one of the biggest labor shortages ever seen. And, as there are no indications whether this crisis will end soon or not, many business owners are forced to over-burn their employees with the work they are not qualified for or paid for. Of course, this affects not only those employees but also their work and your business. Luckily, there are ways we can help out one another. For instance, partner with a cleaning company. Believe it or not, outsourcing commercial cleaning can help during a labor shortage! So, if you want to find out how just keep on reading.

It Saves Time, Energy, and Money!
Hiring new workers in the middle of a labor shortage is extremely time and energy-consuming. Moreover, hiring new workers now can be a huge consumer of resources – resources that could be invested in something more important. Thus, instead of hiring full-time cleaners that will work just for you and your company, consider outsourcing.

By contracting with a good cleaning company, you will not have to worry about finding employees that suit your company or worry about whether you will have enough money in your budget to pay them every month. A professional cleaning company that specializes in commercial cleaning will be significantly cheaper and a lot easier to find. They will save you time, energy, and money, and also ensure you have a clean working area (office, practice, lab, etc.) at all times.

Work with Professionals in the Their Field
You already know that having a clean workplace is great for your business. And, in order to achieve that, you must have great cleaners. But, even if you find those great cleaners, it just goes without saying that they won’t be great from day one. Providing employees, in this case, cleaners, with necessary training can last for several months. Depending on your business, they will have to learn different cleaning and disinfecting protocols.

Moreover, you will have to be there the whole time as new, unsupervised cleaners can easily make a mistake that can end up costing you a lot. Thus, if you want to avoid this – consider outsourcing cleaning. Not only will outsourcing cleaning help during a labor shortage but will also spare you the agony of finding the perfect talents for your company and then spending months on their training and supervision.

Professionals Have Top-Notch Technology
If you had to move your office on a deadline, what would you do? It is simple – you would hire a commercial moving company. Professional movers have the right knowledge and more importantly, the right equipment, to do this on short notice. The same applies to professional cleaners – they are the only ones that have the right knowledge and the right equipment necessary for getting the job done.

Whether you need your office cleaned or your surgery center disinfected, professional cleaners are the ones for the job. They will come with efficient industrial equipment (ones that can’t even be compared to a mop and a bucket) and have your entire facility sanitized in no time. Inexperienced cleaners or cleaners with “behindhand” chemicals and equipment may not only leave your office unsanitary and thus compromise your business but they may also damage the finished and upholstery you have.

Reduce Turnover
Outsourcing cleaning can help during labor shortages by also reducing turnover. Namely, during the last two years, turnover averaged a colossal 300%. And, according to statistics from this year, it is even higher now. You may not think that this is bad, but high turnover has many downsides. For instance, losing an employee can lead to a loss of experience, knowledge, morale, and the overall happiness of the entire team.

When you contract with a cleaning company, you can instantly and effectively save your business from experiencing high turnover. Rest assured that professional cleaning companies are more than used to managing turnovers. That is, they have certain safeguards that stop turnover from affecting both you (client) and themselves.

The Overall Employee Satisfaction
Were you aware of the fact that the number one reason all employees quit is the workload? Of course, it won’t be the end of the world for your employees if you ask them to help you out with cleaning, sanitizing, etc. but, if you keep asking them to help you out on a regular basis, this can lead to frustration and ultimately, to quitting. Then, once they quit, their tasks are passed down to somebody else, then they get overwhelmed and frustrated, and the cycle continues. This is why one of the reasons why we have severe turnovers in many companies.

So, maybe one of the most crucial reasons why you should be working with a cleaning company (as well as with other facilities management companies) is the overall employee satisfaction. When your workers are satisfied and happy, there will be less turnover and issues affecting your business. By hiring cleaners and letting them handle office cleaning trends, you will let your employees handle what is really important for your business.

Conclusion
Outsourcing cleaning can help during a labor shortage by saving you time, energy, and money, reducing turnover and making your employees happier and more satisfied. These are just some of the benefits of outsourcing, but, be sure that there are many more. So, do not let this period of uncertainty and labor shortage scare you. Do not let it when there is a simple solution right in front of you. Consider outsourcing not only when you need your office cleaned but when you need help with maintaining HVAC systems, plumbing, electricity, lighting, pest control, landscaping, etc. Contact us today!