Domestic service is one of the most affected industries during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) because off-line training can't be carried out and face-to-face communication for contract signings is risky.
However, "Sunshine Sisters," a leading domestic service provider in East China's Shandong Province, innovated its work style. They introduced remote instructions and online classes, and realized online contract signing, making quick resumption of work possible.
According to President of the company Zhuo Changli, the service hotline of the company was open 24 hours a day during Spring Festival in a bid to provide remote consultation services to clients in need.
"We have recorded the data of clients and housekeepers into our system since 2014. Clients can check relevant information on the app and interview service providers and sign contracts online," Zhuo said.
The company has updated its current information management system of housekeeping business and optimized operation flow to ensure that customers can place orders, sign contracts and make payments online.
"Every time you meet a challenge, it's time for a new opportunity. In 2003, when SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) broke out, the company put forward standardized management and formulated more than 1,200 articles to set its own service standards, among which nine have become local standards and seven have become national standards," said Zhuo.
Additionally, online courses were held to improve housekeeping workers' skills on line. "Continuous and sustainable training for employees is the basis for ensuring the quality of service and achieving stable employment, which is also the key factor of the sustainable development of the company," Zhuo added.
The company's online training platform kept operating during Spring Festival. On February 26, it was approved as one of the first 54 Internet plus vocational skills training programs by the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Security and was included in the online training platforms of Jinan City in Shandong Province.
It also launched live broadcasting in which experienced teachers offer live lectures to employees. The company also developed a WeChat mini program for training, enabling employees to learn skills through WeChat.
"One of the features of the housekeeping industry is that employment is flexible but unstable. Sunshine Sisters has trained local laid-off workers, impoverished women and migrant workers for many years, helping them become reemployed. Our management system has turned migrant employees into permanent workers. Such a management mode plays an important role in the high rate of resumption of work during the epidemic-hit period," Zhuo concluded.
(Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China)
