Was wanting to ask of opinions and advice. Regarding conflict of interest. Recent discussion at work prompted more thought on my part. For those of us that do cleaning type work for an employer besides operating our own ccing biz. When or how far/much do you provide of expertise/work product before it is a conflict of interest with one's ccing business and with other providers of ccing? Is Groundskeeper Willie doing a disservice to the trade if he provides everything he would(excluding chems and equipment)if he were doing in his business (outside his school job). The subject that prompted this was regarding a piano accompanist at work. Folks were complaining that she wouldn't provide here services for everything they needed. She was limiting her work to playing choir rehearsal and two church services on Sunday morning for $125 a week. She cited average pay statistics given by assn. of piano accompanists which her compensation obviously wasn't meeting. My personal viewpoint from the custodial standpoint, ws that to provide too much services/knowledge, etc. did a disservice to all others in the field by possibly driving prices down, or at least making it seem okay not to pay "average" rates. Citing that I make more than my $11 an hour when I do my carpet cleaning in the evenings/weekends I thought it to be wrong to provide the same knowledge/expertise for $11 that I do when working for myself. Would appreciate opinions/advice. Maybe it is time to go out on my own completely?

i feel whether you are working for yourself or the man, to give your all. show them what you know, you might get a raise as they would be impressed!

but overall, yes go out on your own ASAP...why not? think it out well 1st tho! your boss didn't make you sign a no-compete?

so folks in "choirs" @ a cruch get PAID!? everything's about $ these days...

thanx --- Derek.

i think he was talking the pianist was getting paid... which is fairly typical, i had some friends in HS that got paid to play (orchestra insturments)... i played a few gigs for special services at other churches that i got paid for (easter and Christmas) back when i was in college (music major) i usualy played at my own church but as a poor college kid i'd jump at the chance for a paying gig (i was a muscian after all)...

now for chorus I'm sure there are churches that do pay, but every one i've ever been in it was all because you wanted to sing, no $$$ involved

Hi Derek,

I have to disagree with you on this.

A few years back, when I had my first big yellow, I tried to show all that I knew about carpet cleaning, I went in and did my whole school and was given a 20.00 tip from the principal and a pizza. I was proud that I cleaned the carpets and made them look great. The teachers sang songs in my name and flowers bloomed (well not really) but the school looked good and word went to the big boss of what I did.

After being called an ass kisser by some of the, how can I say brain dead co workers, I was transfered to a small school that is in our so called getto of the township, I was told because I did such a great job on the carpets that I could make this older building a better place.

This was my payment from my big boss(the man), Here is a little something at the building I am at now: You can not put the trash out after dark, you need to go stright to your car at the end of the shift, some nights I need to shoo the drunks off the front door area with a broom and there have been two shootings across the street in the project section in the last month alone.

My point is dont bend over backwards for the man because he will screw you when he can. I have learned a lot from all you guys and I now keep it to myself, I have two ads in the new phone books, one in April with Yellow Book and one in July with Yellow Pages. I hope this will get me enough work so I can make the change from "janitor" to self employed within a year.
I tried in good faith to provide my school with a little extra by doing carpets for them and what I get, screwed. I now work on building my business every chance I get and deal with the full time job as Ahh what the hell, I am here but dont count on me for anything and pray I dont get a stray slug in my ass in the mean time.

I hope I can go self employed before I become shooting victim # 3.

You really don't think sharing info on machines, chemicals, techniques, recipes, and special tricks won't eventually filter out to all in the jansan industry and commercial specialists won't be lose accts. to in-house staff having their duties increased. With the ease of handling of equipment, pretty much no miss success in the chemicals, etc. It won't be a motivation to by Willy or Wilhelmina a PileMaster of a Sprint? Then the square footage prices will plummet as more people do it, borrow eqmt. and do stuff for friends, fmaily, etc.? Perhaps only selling chems and eqmt. to licensed or certified contractors might be an answer? TM-Pro user at my day job, thanks again for perspectives

Either do your best, or quit, otherwise your adding to the "brain dead" janitor syndrome. At mine, I rent the use of my equipment by the month to them. I get my wage, plus equipment rental, and I get to use great equipment, mine!. Been doing it for 5 years now, works out great. Then if you quit, the next guy not only has no smarts, but no equipment.

i see your point Joe.

Dave didn't mention using his own equipment or training anyone "his" way (at least not that i recall, correct me if i am wrong).

i meant that whether you are paid $11/hour or $1100 a day, work hard. i didn't say teach everyone your "tricks" and use better equipment....you are not the owner, just the employee who was hired to work, so work hard.

thanx --- Derek.

Appreciate all the perspectives, fine line between an employee that has a poor attitude and the disgruntled saboteur. Hey Joe ever clean the drinking fountains with the johnny mop immediately after cleaning a gastrointestinal distress poop laden toilet? Students, teachers, and Adminsitrators that are sick at home make/leave at less mess and trash than when they are in attendance it seems. Nothing like cost cutting measures that eliminate coworkers and supervision too free up opportunities. Don't forget the door knobs, push plates, panic bars, and phones, cold and flu season is upon us. Oh yeah ever have success mixing the carpet/upholstery cleaner with urine instead of water? Wonder why we can't get rid of that smell? Don't you just love carpeted elevators. Working in-house don't have to worry about the liability ins. issues so much, it's an employer problem.

I dont know nothing. My lips are sealed.

Ever sit in a teachers chair with your pants and undershorts down around your knees.

If only they knew.

I'm guessing "brain dead janitor syndrome" is a negative? Wonder if Honda, Toyota, Nissan thought it was a negative when GM, Ford, Chrysler discounted Japanese automakers? While I can see it to be a negative, the reality of what people often times compensate for janitor type work justifies being "brain dead". Often times if it isn't going to pay, why not just "pretend" to be "brain dead". That way expectations are kept low, etc. Ignorance can be bliss.

Personally I wondered why the player just took the money and "forget" to play the "keys" with #'s (sharp's) in them. It would even out, eventually.