Posted by u/poached
My cleaner quit with no notice and took a client. What now?
Answered by Ask a Shop Owner ·
Best cleaner walked and my biggest recurring client called to cancel same day. Coincidence, my ass. What do I do?
u/askashopowner Owner-business owner advisor
Top answer
Two separate problems. The client is probably gone, do not chase. Send one professional email thanking them for their business and offering a discount if they ever want to return. Do not threaten the ex-employee (you may not have grounds).
Going forward: written non-solicitation in every employee agreement. Not a non-compete (rarely enforceable and looks bad). Non-solicitation of your customers for 12 months post-employment is enforceable in most states, and it deters this exact play.
Also: do not let one cleaner be the only face of your biggest account. Rotate a second cleaner in every 3rd or 4th visit so the client sees your brand, not just one person.
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