More than ever, clients, staff, or partners expect businesses to operate ethically and transparently. In 2024, a research report showed that 70% of Brits are committed to buying from ethical small and medium-sized businesses. This is what governance is all about. It is the way a business is managed and structured, but governance is not just one part of ESG—it’s the foundation that supports both environmental and social sustainability.
Without clear strategies, ethical leadership, and accountability, no business can achieve long-term success. Strong governance ensures that environmental and social initiatives aren’t just promises—they become real actions backed by clear policies and responsible leadership.
So, what exactly does the G in ESG stand for, and how can your cleaning business use strong governance to build trust, improve operations, and secure long-term success? This article explores the role of governance in ESG and provides practical steps for implementing it in your cleaning business.
What Does “Governance” Mean, and Why Is It Important for Cleaning Businesses?
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance—three key areas used to evaluate a company’s sustainability and ethical impact. ESG reports help businesses track progress, improve performance, and demonstrate results to clients, staff, and investors.
The G, Governance, focuses on how a company is run—its leadership, policies, and accountability. It ensures a business operates fairly, transparently, and in line with regulations. For cleaning businesses, strong governance is essential to keeping clients happy, protecting staff, and staying compliant with industry rules.
Key Areas of Governance in Cleaning Businesses
Focusing on these governance areas can strengthen compliance, reduce stress, and improve business stability:
- Ethical Conduct and Anti-Corruption – Preventing unfair practices and ensuring honesty in business operations.
- Legal and Financial Compliance – Following tax laws, fair wage policies, and financial reporting standards.
- Sustainability and Risk Management – Reducing business risks and aligning with environmental goals.
- Corporate Governance and Leadership – Defining clear roles, improving decision-making, and ensuring accountability.
- Data Protection and Privacy (GDPR Compliance) – Keeping client and staff information safe.
- Diversity, Fair Hiring and Workplace Rights – Ensuring fair treatment and a good work environment for all staff.
- Be Transparent and Create Reports – Keeping clients and staff informed about company policies and progress.
To see how governance can shape your business success, let’s look at examples of good and bad governance of fictive cleaning businesses.
Good vs. Bad Governance
The Good: Fictive company 1
This cleaning business is small with a staff of 20. A year ago, they were struggling with late timesheets, payroll errors, and last-minute schedule changes. Staff were frustrated, and the owner was overwhelmed.
To turn things around, they introduced a simple app to track working hours, held weekly planning meetings, and created a basic code of conduct for everyone to follow. They also assigned one team leader to oversee health and safety and client communication.
The result? Staff turnover dropped, errors in payroll disappeared, and the owner finally had time to focus on growth. Today, this company is taking on bigger clients—and keeping them.
The Bad: Fictive company 2
This cleaning business started with good intentions but lacked structure. The owner handled everything—from client bookings to payroll—by memory or in a messy notebook. There were no written policies, and staff didn’t know who to talk to when problems came up.
Complaints from clients were ignored or forgotten. Some staff members were paid late, which led to frustration and several quitting without notice. Eventually, the company failed a labour inspection due to poor documentation and was fined heavily.
Within a year, the company lost its biggest clients and had to shut down. The lack of clear governance turned everyday issues into serious risks.
6 Ways to Strengthen Governance in Your Cleaning Business
Governance may sound complicated, but small changes can make a big difference. While a full ESG report might not be realistic for a small cleaning business, you can still take practical steps to improve governance. Here are some key areas to focus on with additional steps:
Clear Roles and Less Firefighting
✔ Define clear responsibilities, so everything doesn’t fall on your shoulders.
✔ Assign a team member to handle daily scheduling and minor client issues.
✔ Use a simple planning system – a board, an app, or a daily morning briefing.
✔ Be open about challenges and share how your company is addressing them.
Follow Industry Regulations and Avoid Fines
✔ Ensure your staff get paid correctly and on time – payroll mistakes create frustration.
✔ Stay up to date with cleaning industry labour laws to avoid fines or legal trouble.
✔ Keep track of taxes, invoices, and contracts to prevent financial surprises.
✔ Work with reliable suppliers that follow fair labour and sustainability standards.
Stable Staff and Fewer Sick Days
✔ Clear work schedules and good communication reduce absenteeism.
✔ Have a backup plan for sick days to avoid last-minute stress.
✔ Show staff they are valued – small incentives can improve loyalty.
Invoice Every Job – Stop Losing Money
Many cleaning businesses lose money because extra tasks aren’t billed.
✔ Use a simple system to track work hours, such as an app or a basic Excel sheet.
✔ Make sure all work is completed and recorded before sending invoices.
Protect Client and Staff Data
✔ Store staff and client details securely and delete outdated records.
✔ Use a safe storage system (cloud or encrypted files) instead of paper notes.
✔ Follow GDPR rules to avoid data breaches and legal issues.
Prioritise Well-Being and Growth
✔ Use fair hiring practices that promote equal opportunities.
✔ Provide training on diversity and workplace respect.
✔ Offer growth opportunities, so staff feel valued and engaged.
Creating a Strong, Sustainable Cleaning Business
Good governance isn’t just about following rules—it’s about building a stable, trustworthy business that benefits owners, staff, and clients.
By focusing on clear leadership, legal compliance, and transparency, your cleaning business can:
- Avoid unnecessary risks and financial losses
- Reduce stress by improving structure and delegation
- Increase client trust and staff satisfaction
- Stay competitive and prepared for the future
In an industry where trust and reliability matter, strong governance is not just an advantage—it’s essential for long-term success.
With CleanManager you have access to tools that enhance leadership, compliance, and transparency:
✔ Minimize Risks and Financial Losses – Easily keep track of work hours, wages, and compliance to avoid costly mistakes. No more manual calculations or missing invoices.
✔ Reduce Stress and Improve Delegation – Plan schedules, assign tasks, and track progress in one place, so you can focus on running your business instead of chasing paperwork.
✔ Boost Client Trust and Staff Satisfaction – Ensure fair work distribution, clear communication, and accurate payroll, creating a business that both clients and staff can rely on.
✔ Stay Competitive and Future-Ready – Use smart digital tools to manage daily operations and scale your business efficiently without adding more admin work.
With CleanManager, governance isn’t just a concept—it’s a practical tool that makes your cleaning business more efficient, compliant, and ready for the future.
