Gender differences in Cleaning Employees?

By:  Cathy Green

When I started my company back in 2007, I must admit that I was in search of women.  In my mind, people would feel more comfortable having a woman in their home regulary and I believed that a woman would do a more careful, thorough job overall.  Wow, was I wrong!

The reality [in my business] is that my male employees have been the saving grace in my establishment.  Looking back at my employee files, I have hired 8 women since 2007.  Two left because they were able to find full time positions (and they were honest with me from the beginning that they would stay on until their full time jobs cames through).  A third one lived too far away for it to make financial sense for her to stay on.  The other five?  I fired them.

Some of the problems I have had with women employees have been:

a.  Attitude – Nasty disposition in dealing with coworkers and with me

b.  Work ethic – Sneaking off of job prior to house being totally cleaned

c.  Calling in at last minute for even small things such as a half  inch of snow!

d.  Insubordination

e.  Not teachable

f.  Failure to take any personal responsibility for anything

Although at the beginning my goal was to have a predominently female staff, the opposite has become my truth.  Presently 100% of my employees are men.

I did not plan it that way but once the smoke had cleared, my male employees were left standing, and in effect, holding up the standard that I set for my company.

When I tell my male employees that I want something done in a particular way, there is no back talk.  They listen and trust my judgment.

When it snows a little and I call to see if they are okay, they report that they are en route to the client’s house.

If I have to reprimand, they take personal responsibility and accept it like an adult should.

Because I have a professional company, I am constantly perfecting the way things are done. They readily roll with the changes.

And I have no problem “popping in” on them and finding them where they should be, taking care of my clients.

Will I hire women in the future? Well I certainly will give anyone an opportunity. I don’t discriminate and never will.  But now I know what to do before even calling a woman in for an interview.  In fact, a woman called last week looking for a job.  I engaged her in conversation for about 5 minutes.  During that short period, she made it clear that she had her own way of cleaning and needed no direction.  She then admitted she was just looking for a quick job to hold her over until she got a job in another field.

Needless to say, I did not waste a stamp on her, much less an application.  My advice to new cleaning companies.  Keep an open mind. Don’t be afraid to hire men. Some things don’t come naturally to men — such as, fluffing pillows, and putting things back in a neat fashion.  So you know what?  You bring it to their attention and teach them. Trust me, they will learn. 

Wishing you the best in finding great employees. Your employees are the “face” of your business. They bring all your promises and statements about your business to the light.  Hire with caution!