Kiwi's app keeps closer eye on cleaning staff

File photo / NZ Herald

A new website and app designed by a Silicon Valley-educated Kiwi would allow greater monitoring of cleaners by their clients.

However, a union representing some cleaners has warned an "extreme level" of monitoring could lead to unrealistic expectations on cleaning staff.

Auckland-raised Kenneth Ho said he and fellow developer Charles La -- who has worked for tech giants Google, Microsoft and Facebook -- had developed SpongeHero.co.nz to address shortcomings within the current cleaning market.

Mr Ho said the site used an algorithm to pair independent cleaning contractors with customers based on a number of criteria relevant to their needs and the cleaner's availability.

"The new cloud based platform that goes online today will use technology to allow customers greater flexibility and efficiency when making bookings and monitoring the quality of service," Mr Ho said.

Other upgrades would include the ability for clients to monitor when a cleaner has arrived and when a cleaner leaves the property in real time.

"One of the primary issues Kiwis have when taking on a new cleaner is the risk associated with monitoring their performance -- particularly when the client is not present at the location," Mr Ho said.

"Future enhancements to the platform will provide clients with more visibility around the time it takes the cleaner to perform the service, and the actual work that has been performed, both of which have been major issues within the industry previously."

In addition, a mobile app would allow clients to manage their existing cleaning schedules and book appointments remotely.

Future upgrades would allow clients to communicate privately with their cleaner and for the cleaner to submit a custom report with details of services provided as well as any relevant notes at the conclusion of the service, he said.

Unite Union president Gerard Hehir said it was fine to monitor when an employee arrived and left work, but monitoring people while they were at work would be concerning.

"Monitoring someone when they are in your home probably doesn't sound that bad, but the extreme level this can be taken to is of concern.

He said by allowing an employer more visibility around the time it took a cleaner to perform a service, unrealistic expectations were created.

"On a continuous basis the problem with monitoring is it gives employers the idea that because they can do that, a person should be working 100 per cent of the time, and that is not realistic for any of us."