Business Problem

I am the owner of a professional cleaning business. I have been in business for four years and have a total of five employees. This business is thriving with high end clientele .I have five employees not including myself. This business has gained a reputation of professionalism, reliability and honesty. Being a business owner, comes with a lot of responsibilities. As a business owner you are responsible for the client’s properties and also for your employees. I have been in business for five years with no incident report. Unfortunately, one of my long time employees had to retire due to health reasons. After realizing that I needed another employee, I began interviewing candidates for the open position. After careful evaluation and referencing I hired a new employee by the name of Angelia. Angelia has cleaning experience and comes with a few unfavorable incidents attached from past employers. We all have hidden pasts some good some bad. Because I do not hold past incidents against someone, I gave Angelia a chance to prove herself. In my business I have gained a reputation of honesty, dependability and trust. Training for my employees is taught on values and morals. Respect and honesty are essential in this business. I trust my employees and will stand behind them, even when accused of a wrong doing. My clientele are middle to high class customers such as Doctors, Lawyers and Dentists. I have through the years established a team I have come to believe in and trust. Each week my employees are split into two groups to clean homes and offices. For the last few years I have not had a complaint from any of my clients. But recently I started getting phone calls from my clients stating that merchandise have been stolen, misplaced or broken. I decided to meet with the clients which was having issues in their home. During my visit with my clients, I learned that this has been an ongoing issue. I was not aware that personal items had been taken, broken or misplaced before now. I learned the hard way a few years ago that insurance is very important in a business. I apologized for any inconveniences that may have been caused. I met with my employees and discussed the incident that happened at my clients homes. During the meeting I touched base with my employees on the handbook signatures acquired on the day they were hired. I met with each employee individually to ask as well as answer questions that may need asking or answering. Some of my employees stated that Angelia was working with alcohol on her breath and talk of needing money to pay bills. When in a situation like this, as an employer you learn to be professional and not judgmental. I have learned over the years of working for others as well as myself that to resolve an issue, you must look at all aspect of evidence. Don’t blame the new person but, check hidden motives of retaliation from all employees. To be honest I was beginning to think my new employee had not honored her pledge to be honest, dependable as well as trustworthy when entering client’s homes. What do you think? Can you help me resolve this matter at hand?