Earned Wage Access for Cleaning and Security Companies: A Complete Guide to Better Retention
The Financial Reality Facing Your Workforce
Commercial cleaning and security companies face specific workforce challenges, including high turnover rates and recruitment costs. Earned Wage Access (EWA) offers a practical solution by allowing employees to access their earned wages before payday—without disrupting your payroll processes or cash flow.
Why Your Cleaning and Security Staff Need Financial Flexibility
The financial pressures on hourly workers in cleaning and security sectors are substantial:
- 62% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck
- Standard overdraft fees average over $30 per incident
- Payday loan APRs can approach 400%, trapping workers in cycles of debt
- 78% of employees using on-demand pay primarily purchase essentials like groceries
- 50% rely on flexible pay options to cover basic utilities and transportation
Frontline cleaning and security employees face additional financial challenges:
- Variable schedules that create unpredictable income streams
- Transportation costs to reach multiple jobs
- Equipment and uniform expenses
- Physical demands that can lead to unexpected medical costs
EWA addresses these challenges by providing immediate access to earned wages when employees need them most.
Earned Wage Access Benefits Vs. Traditional Payroll Systems
| Feature | Traditional Payroll System | Earned Wage Access (EWA) |
| Pay Frequency | Bi-weekly, monthly or otherwise fixed rate | On-demand access to earned wages |
| Effect on Turnover | Baseline turnover rates | Up to 36% reduction in turnover |
| Administrative Impact | N/A | Zero changes to existing payroll processes with no cost to the employer |
See EWA and more fintech solutions in action in our Fintech Blueprint.
Measurable Business Benefits for Cleaning & Security Operations (like Reduced Turnover by up to 36%)
Better Recruitment Results
In a competitive labor market, EWA provides a distinct hiring advantage. Industry research shows that 96% of employers offering EWA report improved talent attraction.
Significant Retention Improvements
Staff turnover represents a major operational cost for cleaning and security companies. Companies implementing EWA report up to 36% reduction in turnover and each prevented departure saves recruitment and training costs.
Operational Improvements
Beyond recruitment and retention, EWA delivers concrete operational benefits:
- Reduced absenteeism as employees can handle financial emergencies without missing shifts
- Increased willingness to accept additional hours, improving shift coverage
- More consistent service quality through experienced, stable teams
- Higher client satisfaction resulting from workforce continuity
How EWA Works: A Practical Example – and Seamless Payroll Integration
Here’s how EWA functions in practice:
An employee completes their regular cleaning or security shifts throughout the week. Using the secure EWA app, they can view their accumulated earnings in real-time. When facing an unexpected expense—like a car repair or medical bill—they can transfer a portion of their already-earned wages instantly to their bank account.
On the scheduled payday, they receive their regular paycheck minus the amount they’ve already accessed. The entire process requires no changes to payroll timing or procedures, creating a seamless experience for both employees and employers.
How Does EWA Work with WinTeam?
For BSCs and security companies using TEAM Software’s WinTeam solution, implementing EWA requires minimal effort:
- Seamless integration: The system connects directly with your existing time and attendance data through secure API connections
- Unchanged payroll cycles: Your regular processing continues exactly as before
- Zero employer funding: The EWA provider handles all transfers directly
- Intelligent calculations: The system automatically accounts for taxes, garnishments and other deductions
- Comprehensive support: Both management and employees receive 24/7 assistance
Real-World Success Stories
Cleaning Company Impact
Our exclusive video testimonial features a commercial cleaning company that implemented earned wage access and experienced immediate improvements in workforce stability:
The operations manager details how offering financial flexibility helped them compete for talent against larger employers and reduce the hidden costs of turnover.
GardaWorld Security: Measurable Results
GardaWorld, a leading security services provider, achieved remarkable results after implementing EWA through TEAM Software:
- 58% employee adoption within just six months—nearly double the industry average
- Growth from $30 million to $100 million in earned wage transfers during the implementation period
- The company earned a Great Place to Work Certification, attributed in part to benefits like EWA
These metrics demonstrate the strong demand for financial flexibility among security personnel and the operational benefits of meeting this need.
EWA ROI: The Business Case
When evaluating EWA for your cleaning or security operations, consider these financial advantages:
- Cost-neutral implementation: No setup fees or ongoing expenses for employers
- Reduced recruiting costs: Lower advertising and onboarding expenses
- Retention savings: Significant reduction in replacement and training costs
- Operational improvements: More consistent staffing and higher productivity
- Administrative efficiency: No disruption to existing payroll systems or schedules
Getting Started with EWA
Implementing Earned Wage Access is becoming a standard feature within WinTeam and is being rolled out in a phased approach. But, if you;d like to start sooner versus later, here’s how:
- Experience the platform: Check out our interactive demo or contact us for a more personalized walk through
- Confirm compatibility: Review integration options with your current systems
- Design your rollout: Access proven communication templates and training resources
- Launch and track: Monitor adoption rates and operational impacts
- Optimize your program: Fine-tune based on usage patterns and feedback
Modern Pay Solutions for Workforce Challenges
The cleaning and security sectors require practical approaches to address persistent staffing challenges. EWA provides a proven tool that delivers concrete results: reduced turnover, improved recruitment and fewer missed shifts.
By implementing EWA through TEAM Software’s integration, you provide meaningful financial flexibility to your employees while building a more stable workforce—all without altering your payroll processes or creating additional administrative work.
Ready to learn more about implementing Earned Wage Access in your cleaning or security company? Watch our webinar on demand.