One of the core drivers of these abuses is the “race to the bottom” pricing structure: companies compete by slashing labor costs, often at the expense of those doing the actual work. This has made the lowest bidder model not just unsustainable, but unethical.

What Cleaners Deserve And What They Often Don’t Get

Across the United States, the cleaning industry is quietly powered by a workforce that too often goes unnoticed and underpaid. While cleaning services are essential to health, safety, and business operations, the professionals behind the work frequently face low wages, limited protections, and inconsistent standards—all while navigating one of the most physically demanding jobs in the country.

The Realities Behind the Mop

In recent years, investigations have uncovered widespread wage violations across cleaning companies in the U.S. From unpaid overtime to sub-minimum wage compensation, the exploitation of cleaners is not a fringe issue… It’s systemic. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, cleaning and janitorial services are among the industries with the highest incidence of wage and hour violations. In many cases, cleaners, particularly immigrants and low-income workers, are asked to work long hours without proper pay, training, or even basic protections.

One of the core drivers of these abuses is the “race to the bottom” pricing structure: companies compete by slashing labor costs, often at the expense of those doing the actual work. This has made the lowest bidder model not just unsustainable, but unethical.

The Partnership Model: A Tool, Not a Scapegoat

It’s important to clarify: the issue is not about whether cleaners are employees or independent contractors. At 360 Home Services, we operate a Partnership Model, working with professional cleaning partners who run their own operations. The difference lies in how the model is structured and how partners are treated.

We believe the Partnership Model can be a force for empowerment when done right.

What Makes 360 Different

At 360 Home Services, fairness isn’t a buzzword, it’s a built-in standard. Our company is grounded in transparency, respect, and professionalism. Here’s how we protect and uplift the people we work with:

• Transparent Pay, Always: From the first partnership conversation to every job completed, our partners know exactly what they’ll earn. Our app-based system provides real-time job tracking and payout visibility, no guessing, no waiting, no hidden fees.
• Clear Agreements: Every partner signs a straightforward, fully transparent agreement that outlines earnings, responsibilities, and expectations.
• Support and Growth: We don’t just send jobs, we offer tools, resources, and coaching that help our partners grow their businesses and reach their goals.

Guided by Values: The 360 Standard

Our company values and The 360 Standard guide every decision we make:

• Teamwork: We see our partners as extensions of our brand and believe success is something we build together.
• Commitment and Consistency: We commit to fair work, fair pay, and consistent communication.
• Integrity and Communication: We operate with honesty and ensure every partner is heard and supported.
• Positivity: We create a culture where people feel good about what they do and who they do it with.

We believe cleaners deserve more than just a paycheck. They deserve respect, opportunity, and a system that doesn’t take advantage of their labor behind closed doors.

Final Thoughts

Fair pay in the cleaning industry isn’t just about numbers, it’s about dignity. As the conversation around labor equity grows louder, we’re proud to be part of the solution, not the problem. Our goal at 360 Home Services is to build a model where cleaners are not only paid fairly but treated like the professionals they are.

Because no one should have to clean up messes in a system that’s messy itself.

Learn more about The 360 Standard at 360cleanit.com.

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Sources

• U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division Enforcement Data: dol.gov
• Low-Wage, High-Violation Industries Chart: dol.gov
• Economic Policy Institute Report on Wage Theft: epi.org
• U.S. Department of Labor Guidance on Worker Misclassification: federalregister.gov
• Packers Sanitation Services Child Labor Violations: Wikipedia