5 replies to this topic

[Kalsingh]

I'm in the process of setting up my own business. I am going to be sourcing house cleaners to peoples homes and taking a cut out of the hourly rate. It is a proven business model and many people do it.

As per Sikhi, do you think this is ethical? Because in Sikhi we are supposed to earn our money by (with?) the sweat of our brow.

And,

I am not going to be doing any cleaning at all. I am just going to be managing the whole operation while cleaners are busy cleaning peoples houses all day. Feels a bit guilty if you know what I mean.

Any thoughts? Maybe I am just worrying too much, I don't know.

[Only five]

You have nothing to worry about. Running a business doesn't mean the owner has to get into the work himself. If you want to save yourself some money then you can start cleaning yourself. Make sure your wages are reasonable and your offering a good service where the jobs are being done.

[Kalsingh]

Thanks.

The cleaners are self employed. The client will pay the cleaner direct. The client will then pay me a small amount separately whenever the cleaner undertakes work (part of the hourly rate).

[Balait_da_Sher]

you are basically setting up an agency which will deal with cleaning services. First of all, you shouldn't worry. This is no different to a farmer who employs work force to do the work. The farmer may end up doing the work himself or just act like a manager. From a sikhi point of view i think this is fine. Work is work as far as cleaning is concerned it is a lot better than quite a lot of modern businesses.

Finally, I hope you know what you are doing because the cleaner's shouldnt be paid directly. The client should pay you and you should pay the client. With your current business model, how would you prevent people from going direct with the client? How do you know how many hours a cleaner has worked at a client? Also make sure you have insurances etc as you may be liable if a cleaner steals something from your clients.

Finally, Good Luck with your business.

[Kalsingh]

you are basically setting up an agency which will deal with cleaning services. First of all, you shouldn't worry. This is no different to a farmer who employs work force to do the work. The farmer may end up doing the work himself or just act like a manager. From a sikhi point of view i think this is fine. Work is work as far as cleaning is concerned it is a lot better than quite a lot of modern businesses.

Finally, I hope you know what you are doing because the cleaner's shouldnt be paid directly. The client should pay you and you should pay the client. With your current business model, how would you prevent people from going direct with the client? How do you know how many hours a cleaner has worked at a client? Also make sure you have insurances etc as you may be liable if a cleaner steals something from your clients.

Finally, Good Luck with your business.

I make sure the cleaners know they are going to have to declare themselves as self employed. This gets me out of the hassle of having to employ and pay the cleaners. I'd make the cleaners sign a contract that prevents them from going direct to the client. Of course, I can't guarantee they won't. Yes, part of my agency fee (the hourly rate that I'm taking from the client) will go towards the insurance.

[Kalsingh]

Finally, Good Luck with your business.

Thank you