When companies have to tighten their belts in tough financial times cleaning crews are often the first to go. In smaller offices employees agree to pitch in and help keep things tidy but good intentions are now substitute for commercial cleaning expertise and training.

The cleaning methodologies used in a residential home differ greatly than those employed in commercial facilities. Commercial cleaning solvents and solutions can be dangerous if spilt, or mishandled and are potentially fatal if mixed improperly.

Recently, a San Jose, California office learned the hard way how an innocent mistake cleaning up can create a serious health hazard.

An office worker cleaning a fridge full of rotten food created a smell so noxious that it sent seven co-workers to the hospital and made many others ill.

Firefighters had to evacuate the AT&T building in downtown San Jose on Tuesday, after the flagrant fumes prompted someone to call 911. A hazmat team was called in.

What they found was an unplugged refrigerator that had been crammed with moldy food.

Authorities say an enterprising office worker had decided to clean it out, placing the food in a conference room while using two cleaning chemicals to scrub down the mess. The mixture of old lunches and disinfectant caused 28 people to need treatment for vomiting and nausea.

Authorities say the worker who cleaned the fridge didn’t need treatment — she can’t smell because of allergies.

Chicago Tribune

This weekend it was hard to avoid news of the current outbreak of swine flu. The deaths caused by this virus are tragic because they are so easily preventable.

Everyone can do their part

• Wash hands frequently
• Cover mouth when coughing and nose while sneezing
• If you have flu like symptoms stay home until you can see a doctor. While the odds that you have contracted the swine flu are extremely low it is better to be safe than sorry.

As building owners and managers you can keep building occupants safe but stepping up your routine cleaning to include sanitizing door handles, light switches, phones and drinking fountains. Virex II disinfectant cleaner will the germs that cause swine flu. Insist that your cleaners use Virex II or a similar disinfectant cleaner approved to kill influenza type a

In the past I’ve talked, or more accurately written about, the advantages of a non-native workforce. In our industry it is advantageous to have a diverse labor pool because they bring different values, perceptions and work ethic. Often times individuals born and raised in America feel they are “above” working in the building services industry and perform to lower standards out of a sense of entitlement.

Recruiting professional staff is really no different. A job candidate may say “yes, yes, yes” when you are making them an offer but a few weeks in they forget that we provide a vital service and begin seeing us as “just a cleaning company”. While I’ve been very fortunate in filling my managerial positions by investing in young, ambitious new graduates and professionals making career changes I have never had success in finding a seasoned professional to assist me in the daily grind of growing my business. For years I ignored what I already learned in staffing field positions “Look elsewhere”

As is always the case a little creativity has solved this rather oppressive problem. Recently, I’ve been training an overseas protege to assist me on a daily basis. Unlike virtual assistants I’ve hired in the past he has become a resource as much as support staff. While I’ve only begun working with him I’m confidently optimistic that I will get back ten-fold what I have invested in training him. While the details are almost unimportant what I’ve learned from the process is to forget about these self created objections; what works in the field sometimes does work in the office and visa-versa. Often we reinvent the wheel almost as a means of saving face. We do so at a disservice to ourselves, our company and our employees.

While many organizations talk of downsizing or even closing their doors forever I want it to be known that Horizon Services Corporation remains committed to continual growth and the creation of new opportunities.  Uncertain times such as these that make me grateful for our fiscal restraint because I know we navigate through rough waters in a seaworthy vessel. While our competitors are forced to cut jobs we welcome their employees to join the Horizon Services team. I am certain that the diverse backgrounds, skills and experiences these new employees will bring will help Horizon in our continued growth.

The news stories of doom & gloom will run for years to come but I am confident Horizon Services will not be a victim of this economy. It is my ongoing pledge to keep Horizon profitable, to find new opportunities and to assist our sales and operations teams in any way possible.