Inner Circle
← Back to Listen
Content

Best excuses over the years – and a few that we have done too.

⏱️ 55:11 🎀 Louise Trehearn, Diane Greenwood
AUDIO EPISODE
Best excuses over the years – and a few that we have done too.
0:00
0:00

Chapters

Click to jump to section

  • 0:00
    Wrong House Incidents
    Louise and Diane recount personal and employee experiences of accidentally going to or cleaning the wrong house, highlighting the confusion and embarrassment that can arise.
  • 0:01
    The Surprise Holiday Excuse
    The hosts discuss the frequently used employee excuse of a last-minute surprise holiday, questioning its credibility and the logistics involved.
  • 0:05
    Chain of Phone Excuses
    Louise shares a multi-layered excuse from an employee about why they couldn't call in sick, leading to a discussion about employees ghosting after being hired.
  • 0:08
    Sat Nav Troubles
    The hosts share stories of employees getting lost due to sat nav issues, including one who drove to an entirely different town, and Louise admits to her own sat nav blunders.
  • 0:13
    Key and Gate Protocol
    Louise describes a protocol for dealing with calls about non-working keys, often revealing the cleaner is at the wrong house or the client's gate is difficult to open.
  • 0:18
    Client Wants to Work Off Bill
    Diane recounts a unique situation where a client, unable to pay for cleaning services, offered to work for the company to settle their debt.
  • 0:21
    Pet-Related Absences
    The hosts discuss various pet-related excuses for employee absences, from ear infections to pet deaths, and the challenge of empathizing while running a business.
  • 0:28
    Unpaid Time Off Abuse
    Louise explains how excessive unpaid time off led to employee complaints about insufficient hours, forcing the company to tighten its policies.
  • 0:29
    Unreasonable Client Demands
    Louise shares a story of a client who refused entry to cleaners who arrived slightly early, despite receiving advance notice of the arrival window.
  • 0:37
    The 'Quick Clean' Dilemma
    The hosts discuss the challenge of clients requesting 'quick cleans' or setting unrealistic timeframes for extensive cleaning tasks, leading to difficult conversations about expectations.

Speakers

L
Louise Trehearn
Host
D
Diane Greenwood
Host

Key Takeaways

✦

Develop a thick skin and a sense of humor when dealing with unusual excuses from staff and clients.

✦

Implement clear policies regarding attendance and time off to prevent exploitation and ensure fair treatment for all employees.

✦

Train staff on using navigation tools effectively and cross-referencing information to avoid common errors like going to the wrong address.

✦

Be assertive and confident as a business owner when managing client expectations, especially regarding pricing and service scope.

✦

Establish clear communication channels and protocols for addressing common issues like difficulty accessing properties or unexpected pet-related absences.

✦

Streamline your quoting process to be efficient and gather necessary information, avoiding wasted time on impossible jobs.

✦

Be wary of mixing business with personal relationships, such as hiring friends or clients, as it can often lead to complications.

Want the full experience?

Join the Inner Circle for full access to every episode, AI-powered insights, personalized coaching, and a network of industry leaders.

Join Inner Circle β†’

Inner Circle Membership Portal © 2026 Power100. All rights reserved.

power100.io