new job problem

i think you may be new to themanagment role. As a contributor has said training is the first step. and much beetter if everyone has the same training so that you cannot be aqccused of victimisation.

Then you have ACAS behind you. This is the leaflet on how to manage staff
www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/p/0/How-to-manage-performance-advisory-booklet.pdf

They have a phone number they can help you out with information. You will need to go down the capability route.

Also has you firm got an HR department? Then they will help you.

Always record every formal meeting and every informal chat.

As part of the capability you might be able to put her along side someon who performs well to show her how things sould be done.

Also can this person see appropriately. I have a cleaner who has poor contrast sensitivity and wears reading glasses. So half the time she cannot see and I have to point out cobwebs etc.

Sadly my husband gave her a rise.

The meeting didn't go ahead due to other more important health issues with residents. I spoke on the phone with manager and we are having a meeting with this woman on Friday. Yesterday whilst doing my monthly checks I was astonished with her lack of effort, in fact I really don't know what she does for the 8 hours she is supposedly working, SO I have sent e-mail to manager voicing my concerns and will leave it in her hands

The fact that your employers found it necessary to employ someone to oversee the cleaners means their work wasn't up to standard. In your position I would hold a meeting with all the cleaners together, not accusing any one person, but explain what the NEW standards of cleaning are and it is your job to ensure those are adhered to. Ask for their input as to how these new standards could be implemented but making it clear they will be implemented.

just a quick update: had meeting with manager last week. Cleaner was told I am now her manager, that is my job and it was all done very nicely but she was put in her place, so fingers crossed

I hope the chat with the manager has made things a little easier for you, Ziggy. A couple of thoughts from me - she should be told the rationale behind the cleaning regime e.g. "Leave the bathroom floor till last so that any dirt that's fallen from elsewhere will be removed" - she sounds as though she may go off piste because she hasn't been told the reasons behind your cleaning guidelines. You could possibly include the reasons behind the schedule in your Wednesday meeting so that all staff benefit and your problem cleaner can't claim to have been singled out. Presumably you know that she can read the records of the 1-to-1s you've had with her (grasping at straws here!) And the poster who mentioned eyesight has quite a valid point, although that wouldn't explain her departure from the prescribed order of work.

Do you have colour coded cloths for various jobs? ie a differently coloured one for the toilets than the washbasins etc and obviously a separate set for the food preparation areas.

She must have a certain amount of jobs to do in her 8 hours (presumably with breaks morning and afternoon and for lunch) but she should be able to get quite a lot done in that time.

I wonder if she can read and write - if you get the routine typed out and hung up in each room - for all the cleaners to follow, not just her - will she be able to read it?

Thanks for replies. She has been a totally different person this week and actually looks like she's taking some pride in her job.

and yes she can read and write but previously chose not to read lol.

well, sadly things haven't improved and I have had to report the woman for bullying me. For weeks now she has ignored written and verbal instructions, cleaned rooms in complete opposite order than written on allocation sheets and to top it off has been telling other staff that I am so hard on her she has developed a rash.
anyway to cut a very long story short I have out in an official complaint, so I am now at home on full pay and catching up with some paperwork. My manager has been amazing but quite of few of the staff are now ignoring me which is quite obviously stressful