My experience working for Urban Clean Living
Urban Clean Living is honestly the worst company I've ever worked for.
I reported approximately 27 OSHA/OHS-related violations (and can provide proof if needed). The company was found to be non-compliant on every issue I reported and was required to correct them. These violations included things like employees receiving no training on chemicals, not labeling chemicals, leaving staff alone in unsafe work places, requiring us to clean up car shit when we are told we can opt out, and other basic safety requirements. Even now, I found another: no first aid kits while we clean. Do you know how many times I've been bitten by the bird and bled???
Management also plays favourites. One employee receive special travel pay and gas cards while others doing the same work do not. THEN When multiple employees raised concerns about travel compensation, management responded with a staff-wide email essentially telling employees not to complain about gas and travel pay.
Speaking of emails, every week employees receive messages focusing almost entirely on what went wrong. These emails regularly discuss poor performance, lost bonuses, management's disappointment with staff, and other negative feedback. Morale is already low, and these emails only make it worse.
Management has also threatened not to pay employees for recleans, despite knowing that withholding earned wages is not legal. If we wanna go to HR we don't feel like we can because HR is the owners best friend so it's unfair.
Training is another major issue. New hires are sent into homes almost immediately and expected to learn from other cleaners, despite being told during the interview process that proper training would be provided. Many employees simply are not adequately trained before being expected to work independently. This only stopped once OSHA got involved.
The cleaning supplies provided are also extremely limited. Most products come from the dollar store and consist primarily of vinegar, Castile soap, peppermint oil, inexpensive dish soap, 50% alcohol, cheap sponges, magic erasers, and steel wool. If employees need anything beyond that, they're generally expected to purchase it themselves. Workers are also responsible for costs such as cleaning rags, background checks, and additional supplies required to do their jobs properly. They recommend spending $50 on rags to get through the first week
You start at $17 unless you have cleaning experience then you start at 18 (even if you aren't a good cleaner) unless you become a lead good luck getting a raise. Highest we see is $22 an hour. Expect for the managements favourite who gets $24
Finally the schedule. God forbid you look at the schedule - see you're scheduled till 3:45 and book something for yourself at 4:30. Because schedules change randomly with no warning. I've had things changed on me 30 min before my shift ( see picture about hours of operation) this is also illegal by Alberta employment laws and shifts cannot be changed without 24 hour written notice
The saddest part is that almost every employee I worked with seemed unhappy. Everyone I talk to wants to leave and Sue this place into the ground, but none of us can find a second job or have the money for a lawyer.
This was easily the worst workplace experience I've had, and I felt people should know what it's really like behind the scenes.