Janitorial Compensation: What's Fair?

When it comes to the discussion of money, rarely willfaced with the possibility of being robbed. And not
you find a common ground between the employerjust robbed, but also robbed at gun or knifepoint.Yet,
and the employee. And, this is true even in thethese stores continue to have people show up day
janitorial industry.Since labor is the largest singleafter day, knowing this is the case.Now, working as a
expense a business owner must face, employersjanitor, especially at night, can be dangerous, but not
strive to pay as little as possible. Basically, justas dangerous as a convenience store clerk.So, the
enough to keep from quitting.On the other hand,7-Eleven Rule for compensating janitors is this: Take
employees want the highest pay possible. After all,the starting wage for a new employee at your local
they have to pay their rent, utilities, and other billsconvenience store and multiple it by 80%, and you'll
from what the employers pay them. And in return,have wage that is fair to both the employee and
they contribute just enough labor so as not to getemployer.For example, if the starting wage for a
fired.So, how do you bring together the 'payer' andconvenience store clerk is $10.00 per hour, then an
the 'payee'.It's commonly accepted that the higher anemployer should pay their janitors no less than $8.00
employees wages, the more productive they will be.an hour.This formula has been proven to work in
Conversely, the lower their pay, the less productivesmaller markets, as well as large metropolitan areas.
they will be. This is not always the cause, but moreRegardless of the cost of living, major companies like
times than not, it stands true.In every industry, not7-Eleven and others are paying approximately 20%
just the service industry, the closer an employee'smore than successful janitorial companies.Now, as an
wage is to the minimum wage, the less likely thatemployer, you may feel that this number is too high.
person will be an asset to your business. However,But keep in mind, the reason we have 50% +
the higher the wage you pay your employee's, theturnover per year is due in part to our employees
less likely you are to pick up certain accounts. Afterfeeling like their not being compensated fairly.As an
all, people tend to give favor to the lowest bidder,employee, you may feel that this number is too low.
not the highest.So, how do you balance the needs ofBut keep in mind you're safer cleaning a building at
the employee with the needs of the business owner?night, than most convenience clerks are working in
How do you pay a fair wage, and in return expect abroad daylight.So, overall, the 7-Eleven Rule will allow
fair day's work?Since 1989, I have successfully usedan employer to continue to be competitive, while
a rule for calculating a fair wage for my personal. Ireducing turnover by paying a higher wage to their
call this rule, The "7-Eleven' Rule."Go to your localstaff.D. Brownlee
major convenience store (7-Eleven, Circle K, etc.) andBrownlee currently works as a Territorial Area
ask the manager what's the starting wage for newDeveloper for a large janitorial company. He manages
employee's. Write this figure down.Crime statisticsin excess of $1.5 million dollars of volume, overseeing
state that one of the most dangerous jobs today ishundreds of janitors.
working at a convenience store. Every day clerks are