JCD Cleaning & Support Services have been turning down one-off work from prospective clients for the past 6-12 months. While a quick assumption may say staff numbers are low due to Brexit (which is true for a number of industries), it is also partly down to significant growth JCD are experiencing and despite JCD paying a living wage, in some areas they are struggling to find recruits.

As of late, JCD are facing instances of interviewees accepting jobs and not showing up, making it all the more important for their mobile team to manage the issues whilst replacements are sourced. This has not deterred JCD however, having recently signed a three-year, six-figure deal with lightweight building products and systems manufacturer, Knauf UK. Currently one of the fastest-growing cleaning companies in the South-East, JCD have grown by around £1 million, too busy to take on many one-off projects and focusing on pursuing similar scale jobs to expand to wider areas and provide greater economies of scale for their customers.

JCD director, Chris Guilfoyle weighed in: “I think our growth will be slower until the market catches up. We are continuing to utilize our mobile teams [to smaller projects], which are maintained to high standards and are making an effort to open the industry to all people and show what career paths are on offer through our social media posts.”

JCD are active on their YouTube channel ‘JCD Cleaning’, posting regular videos on their cleaning process across different sectors where they provide services for schools, warehouses, hospitality, retail, construction and healthcare. The aim is to grow awareness for the cleaning industry through insightful and entertaining videos targeting prospective clients and industry professionals, showcasing a more open and accessible approach to a broad sector that can often be overlooked in the jobs market.

JCD Cleaning & Support Services have been the target of unsubstantiated no win no fee claims in recent years, with allegations that their operations have caused injury to the public. JCD have denied each claim, citing their own well-kept records of scheduled cleans, thorough contracts outlining what areas JCD are responsible for, as well as their well-managed team. One claim in particular comes from an individual who fell in the car park of one of JCD’s clients. CCTV footage of the incident was reviewed and the claim was found to have been false, identifying the fall as the fault of the claimant. The no win no fee culture can appeal to many people in these cases, which can cause problems for growing companies providing cleaning services such as JCD.

Data received from the Compensation Recovery Unit shows that successful claims went up, peaking at 1,048,000 in 2010-13, and then dropping in 2014, reaching 829,000 in 2020 and dropping further still, year on year during the pandemic with 505,000 claims total post-lockdown in 2021-22. JCD however, have been receiving more claims, yet none have been successful as JCD have provided a solid defense in all instances. They believe this increase in claims is down to their higher volume of contracts.

It can be difficult to minimize the damage caused by questioning the ability of professionally-trained cleaning staff without morale depreciating. Cleaning staff can feel interrogated by such claims, leading to job dissatisfaction. When a claim is made, company and client can both carry out their own separate investigations, which can lead to a collective anxiety.

JCD director Chris Guilfoyle said: “People are told: “It wasn’t your fault,” and to place liability elsewhere. Of course, ‘no win, no fee’ culture plays a part in their decision.” This type of arrangement would allow claimants to seek compensation without upfront financial risk - a move that puts unnecessary stress and disruption on everyone involved. Ultimately individuals need to take responsibility for their own lack of due care and attention, rather than attempting to take advantage by way of no win no fee. The cleaning industry continues to be hit by erroneous claims from the no win no fee culture.