cleaner

directeur

business intelligence manager

account manager

director of training

Scandinavian Building Services

I had high hopes when I joined Scandinavian Building Services, especially given the company’s reputation in the industry and the potential for growth within my role. Unfortunately, my experience was severely impacted by ineffective leadership within our department.

The department head exhibited consistently unprofessional behavior that created a toxic and demoralizing work environment. There was a persistent pattern of taking credit for team members' work, speaking negatively about colleagues behind their backs, and providing conflicting instructions that led to confusion and tension within the team. Basic technical skills, such as using Excel filters or managing simple tasks efficiently, were lacking—often resulting in unnecessary complications or rework.

What was most concerning was the manipulative and divisive approach to leadership. Instead of fostering collaboration, the environment encouraged mistrust. Over the course of less than 18 months, more than half of our team (4 out of 7 members) chose to leave, citing similar frustrations.

For those familiar with the TV character Michael Scott from The Office, the comparison is apt—but without the redeeming qualities like humor, heart, or genuine care for employees.

To be fair, the company itself does offer structured processes and the potential to work on interesting projects. However, unless leadership standards are addressed and aligned with core professional values, I would hesitate to recommend this particular department or location to prospective employees.

The pros they have decent health benefits  

It’s difficult deciding where to even start with the cons  

Starting from the time I received a verbal offer to a written offer, they reduced the salary amount by 10%. This should have been a sign that this Isn’t the best career move. 

First week I didn’t even hear from my direct supervisor. The other account manager in the office was able to somewhat train me. We worked 13 hours daily starting from 6AM. 

Following up on the long hours HR refuses to provide set hours BE WARNED. You’re expected to be available at all times so you could work 60 hours a week all in the middle of the night if it’s required. If you do not answer an account even at 3AM , head office will lecture you the following morning. My phone would not stopping buzzing in the middle of the night. 

None of the accounts are happy with Scandinavian so it’s more being yelled at daily by managers rather than building relationships. Unfortunately Scandi does not budget enough for owner operators so you’ll see a lot of turnover with them on top of the issues with managers. 

You’re expected to drive to all locations and you’re given a fuel allowance that won’t cover all your travel. This travel also includes out of the city up to 4 hours away (sometimes daily). 

There is limited support from head office, most of the time when emailing the office you get a response saying they don’t handle such concern and keep getting sent on a wild goose chase. 

I’m aware this all sounds almost unreal but rest assured it is. Stay away from this role, there are a lot better out there  I resigned from this role after all these issues.

Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. Scandinavian building services started off as a blank slate, but the “Scandi family” turned it into a circus of incompetence. Their departments bloated into useless monstrosities, leaving you wondering if the Scandi execs have a clue what they're doing. The colossal, brain-dead decisions by the "Scandi family" repeatedly prove this company is a fossil waiting to be wiped off the corporate map.

The Scandinavian building services operation is an exemplary display of incompetence within the “Scandi family.” It seems tailor-made for those with the ambition of a doorknob. To the Scandi underlings, your opinions are as valuable as a screen door on a submarine; just do your job. Working here was an exercise in suppressing my intellect, but I’ve managed to find a handful of decent souls amidst the mediocrity. 

Advice to Current/Future Employees: If you’ve got an ounce of ambition, don’t waste it here – run, and don’t look back. In metaphorical terms, if you’ve served time in the jail of Scandi, you might have picked up a thing or two (hopefully), but only someone lacking what the Scandi executives collectively lack would be willingly return to this dismal place.

In my opinion, there are some great team members company-wide but in the corporate offices especially up at the executive level there is a demonstrated lack of good character and respect.  They are very good at showing a close knit family-like atmosphere where they care about you (it's easy to get sucked into this) but sadly that's all surface and what you see is not what you get, you often have to watch your back.  Never have I had the experience of being in the same space as so many egotistical, self-serving, morally bankrupt people.

With that being said, there are some amazing people within the organization (unfortunately they don't get the credit they deserve) who show up consistently and do good things.  The cleaners themselves out in the field are some of the hardest workers who are great at what they do. I believe this company has potential with a shift in upper-management attitude and company culture but I certainly do not miss being overworked, underpaid and unappreciated.

Without a question one of the worst companies to work for.  
Horrible management at all levels.   Low pay with 24/7 expectations.  Poor upper management including hr.

Poor compensation

Typical day would be driving around to various sites to follow up with store management to ensure cleaning was up to the right standards.  Unfortunately budgets made by upper management were unattainable and most new subcontractors start cutting corners and hiring illegal workers because legally they are not able to clean for below minimum wage.  This is known by upper management but brushed under the rug. Management is not interested in knowing how to improve culture and employee business but instead throw unattainable deadlines with again low compensation.  

Culture is good for a certain time period but eventually this leaves.

Hardest part of the job was staying motivated and to see people cleaning with very low pay and dealing with the daily complaints from cleaners or store managers.

I worked at SBS until recently and must say, they get a lot of flak for reasons that are the nature of the industry. Having come from outside myself, I frankly also needed a little adjusting at the beginning. But the entire team there is comprised of genuinely good-natured people who are primed for your success and provide the tools and guidance needed to achieve just that; from the executives down to administratives.

My advice to anyone considering a role here (especially if from outside the industry) would be to pace yourself, take notes (as there are a lot of logistical entails), ask for help without hesitation and seize opportunities as they come; with the team's support, I was able to advance and provide considerable value within a 2-year span.



Work life balance means nothing to this company. You are literally expected to work 24/7 and get paid a measly salary. On paper, it looks like you are working a Mon-Fri 9-5 job. But in reality, you are expected to work overtime and go in early to finish work, go in to client's site during evenings/nights and weekends whenever issues arises, and literally be on-call 24/7. You do not get banked hours or extra pay for all the extra hours worked with their pathetic excuse that you are a salary worker. You are also expected to use your personal vehicle for site visits and with the pathetic vehicle allowance they provide barely even cover the cost of fuel, let alone the other expenses incurred including maintenance, insurance, wear and tear, and car payment.

“Scandi Family” what they would like you to think is we are all family and take care of one another and support each other. What the real Definition means: immediate Family and Friends circle. If you are outside of that you are just a number. Favouritism, expectation to do multiple roles with no appreciation, pay or promotion (unless your an favourite) Unfair pay, Bullying by some management. Some people are great however the company is far from becoming Corporate. Rules do not apply to all and Gossip seems to drive decisions made. HR Department lack experience and knowledge.  They say they are open to ideas and suggestions to better processes and the company- false!! Ideas are received negatively and threatening. So go to work. Keep your mouth shut, do your job and what you are told and you will be good! 

Everyday is a challenge on various situations. It is on how I deal and handle those challenges that becomes a motivation. Keeping a tight and firm schedule, processing and implementing skills to provide quality work.

Not being able to acknowledge that learning is an everyday process and not being able to apply what you've learned is the hardest part of the job. You need to have an open mind and a positive attitude always.

Being able to address, satisfy and come through with the clients needs and wants is enjoyable but being able to have your team complete those things and learn those things for customer satisfaction is more enjoyable.

People really care in this company, especially the leadership team. You are encouraged to speak up and collaborate. Its amazing to contribute to success and be recognized and celebrated in it. I have been here 6 years and can't imagine working anywhere else. 

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Cleaner 8 salaries reported	$20.19 per hour
Directeur 3 salaries reported	$45.67 per hour
Business intelligence manager 5 salaries reported	$110,000 per year
Account manager 1 salary reported	$45.67 per hour
Director of training 2 salaries reported	$101,488 per year

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