Turnover, Unhappiness, and Injury: The Costs of a Poor Training Program

Do you have a formal training program for your cleaning staff? We asked this question in a recent webinar.

As you can see, the majority of respondents said they did have one. This is a great start, but what actually makes up a training program? That can vary quite a bit from organization to organization. The benefits of training are, in some ways, obvious. If someone is well trained, they'll do a better job. But there are other benefits that might be less obvious. Let's look at four reasons why you need a good, formal training program:

Cleaning Industry Turnover is A Real Problem  

 

Depending on the complexity of the job, training can be a lengthy process that means a significant investment in time. This includes not only the trainers and mentors directly working with a recruit but also the Hiring Manager. Which leads us to our next fact.

Recruiting and Training New Staff is Expensive   

Let's do a little math. Let's say you have a five-person staff. If you follow the cleaning industry average of 200%, that means you're replacing EVERYONE on your staff twice in a year. That's a total of ten new people to recruit and train. Using the number above, that means you're spending a potential $10,000 just on trying to keep a staff! That means it's worth your time and effort to improve your training program.  

Providing Training Reduces Turnover  

This is based on a study by the TEFL Institute. They found that when companies provided workers with training, it helps workers feel more loyal to their company. They feel appreciated. Especially when training works in combination with other factors that contribute to lower turnover, such as the opportunity for advancement. 

Well Trained Employees Are Less Likely to Be Injured  

It's easy for new workers, especially in the cleaning field, to make assumptions about the best way to clean. After all, most of them have cleaned at home but working with industrial cleaning products, equipment, and machinery can be a very different experience. Even if you choose cleaning products that are less harsh in the first place, there are still plenty of other dangers when the staff hasn't been properly trained.