How to prevent violation of employment rules in the cleaning industry
Recently, an inspection by Social Affairs and Employment revealed that rules were being violated at five Dutch vacation parks. Based on previous risk analyses, the five vacation parks were picked out. And unfortunately it was a successful inspection.
For example, working hours were too long, staff were paid too little and the identities of others were used. A common problem in the cleaning industry where a digital solution could have provided a solution. Read on to find out how.
Which rules were violated
Two of the vacation parks investigated employed workers who violated the laws and regulations regarding employment¹. They were not authorized to work in the Netherlands. It was also suspected that the Working Hours Act² and the Workmen’s Compensation Act were violated. Furthermore, the non- or insufficient checking of ID cards³ by the employer was uncovered here. For example, a number of employees were found with ID cards that were not theirs and people who were receiving benefits in the Netherlands or Belgium and were working under false identities.
How can potential fines be avoided?
Let’s say first of all that deliberately violating the laws and regulations within the cleaning industry cannot be completely prevented. However, various digital tools can make it easier for both the employee and employer. By making use of the various tools, you as an employer are as well prepared as possible for possible checks.
Online ID identification and verification
For the cleaning industry, there are many different possibilities for identification and verification of identity documents, driver’s license, passport or residence permit. A system linked to a database provides instant verification. For example, a photo of an identity document can be sent to a secure environment. A selfie can then be used to verify that the ID card actually matches the person delivering it.
Time and attendance registration
Numerous possibilities are also used for time and attendance registration to check whether persons are actually present at the right times. If there are multiple employees who need to register independently, a digital time clock is the ideal solution. This way, each individual has their own unique tag that automatically identifies who is clocking in and out at what time of day.
If there are fewer employees present at the same time, then registering by means of NFC or QR stickers can also be a solution. You scan the code using your smartphone to register attendance in an app.
Software can compare the actual clock times with the schedules of the cleaning employees. The area manager is also notified live if one arrives at work 10 minutes late.
¹ For employees from outside the Netherlands who come to work for less than 3 months, a work permit is required. We are working on adding this to the ID checker module. Ask the back office about it.
² Violation of the Working Time Act is mainly caused by excessive work pressure and/or a shortage of personnel. Our time registration module offers possibilities for automatic registration of working hours. This way you will automatically know if employee A is working structurally too much and too long.
³ The checking of id cards can be simplified by using ID verification tools. This way the authenticity of a passport, residence permit, identity card or driving license can easily be verified. Here our module ID Checker is the perfect solution.
