FM newsroom – facility cleaning. Time theft is a pervasive issue across various industries, including janitorial services. While it often goes unnoticed, its impact on financial performance, employee morale, and customer satisfaction is significant. Leveraging real-time tracking technologies can help curb this problem by enhancing operational transparency, fostering trust, and optimizing workforce efficiency.
The Scope of Time Theft in Janitorial Services
Most commercial cleaning contracts are outsourced to specialized service providers, often involving large-scale operations that are difficult to oversee. Since janitorial work typically occurs outside regular business hours—during evenings or overnight—time theft can be particularly challenging to detect, Facility Cleaning and Maintenance writes.
Understanding Time Theft
Time theft occurs when employees falsify work hours, often through “buddy punching,” where one worker clocks in for another. It can also include behaviours such as:
- Arriving late, taking extended breaks, or leaving early without notice.
- Prolonging work routes unnecessarily.
- Engaging in personal activities, such as browsing mobile phones or napping during work hours.
- Avoiding supervisors and colleagues to evade accountability.
Who Bears the Cost of Time Theft?
The consequences of time theft extend beyond financial losses. On average, an employee can “steal” up to 4.5 hours per week, accounting for 6–10% of a company’s annual payroll costs. This presents a significant challenge for facility management companies, which must balance tight profit margins with growing service quality expectations.
Time theft also affects clients. Property managers who pay a fixed monthly rate may receive subpar service, while those paying hourly may be overcharged for inefficient work. These discrepancies can lead to strained business relationships and contract disputes.
The Broader Impact on Businesses and Clients
Beyond financial concerns, time theft erodes trust between service providers and clients. When employees do not adhere to scheduled work hours, the quality of service deteriorates, often leading to complaints from building occupants.
Additionally, time theft negatively affects workplace morale. Employees who adhere to schedules and meet performance expectations may feel overburdened when compensating for colleagues who fail to fulfil their duties. This imbalance fosters workplace resentment and reduces overall productivity, potentially increasing turnover rates.
Addressing Time Theft with Transparency and Technology
Advanced technology solutions can enhance transparency and accountability, ensuring that every work hour is correctly accounted for. Tools such as geolocation tracking, real-time task monitoring, and automated time validation systems can significantly reduce the opportunity for time theft.
These technologies also improve operational efficiency and communication between teams. Automated time-tracking systems eliminate human error and provide managers with detailed reports on employee performance. This data-driven approach enables informed decision-making and enhances service reliability.
The Long-Term Benefits of Transparency
By increasing transparency and reinforcing trust, these tools enhance customer satisfaction, enabling clients to monitor service progress in real-time and witness the direct impact of effective management.
Moreover, reducing time theft translates into significant financial savings. Companies can cut unnecessary payroll costs per employee annually while strengthening client relationships and enhancing brand reputation. For employees, these tools establish clear expectations, promote fairness, and foster a culture of accountability and recognition.
