“Walked around this morning and things seem to have gone really well. Hard floors have been buffed and the shine is returning. Laura provided me with a rota of staff working hours and areas which is really helpful with contractors and caretaker open/lock-up procedures. We have been particularly impressed with Laura’s knowledge, organisation and communication skills – credit to her and thanks to the team for their hard work during this short half-term.”
ServiceMaster was awarded the school cleaning contract for three Merchant Taylors’ School sites following a competitive tender process. The mobilisation involved the TUPE transfer of 20 cleaning operatives from the incumbent contractor, many of whom had previously worked directly for the schools before outsourcing arrangements were introduced.
A detailed pre-mobilisation review identified several challenges that needed to be addressed to ensure a successful transition. These included: inconsistent cleaning standards, varying skill levels across the workforce, an ageing employee profile, poor attendance records, low staff morale and a lack of effective leadership and accountability.
There was also significant concern amongst employees regarding the contract change, driven by previous experiences of outsourcing and a high volume of historic payroll queries.
The schools required a seamless transition with no disruption to operations, immediate improvements in cleaning standards and clear communication throughout the mobilisation process.
