Staying within tight budget constraints requires a balance between achieving necessary cost savings and maintaining the quality services needed to keep the client's operations running.

Too often, Sodexo has cut corners on costs at the expense of the jobs they were hired to do. Sodexo's clients - teachers Principals and other school officials - have complained that Sodexo inadequately staffed the food service, custodial, or maintenance work at their schools.

Lakewood, NJ

In Lakewood, NJ, teachers complained that after Sodexo cut 21 janitorial positions there was too much work for the remaining staff and that the cleanliness of floors suffered. Even after 4 of the 21 were brought back, complaints about slow progress on repairs continued.

In 2008, Sodexo - in danger of losing the contract - announced the creation of a new floor project team. Sodexo also reversed their previous policy of not providing substitute workers when someone called out or took a vacation day.

Beaufort, SC

The district complained that the contract states that Sodexo must maintain adequate levels of staffing, yet the staff was only meeting the minimum requirements and was doing no preventative maintenance, something which the original RFP required.

In 2008, work orders were not being completed in a timely fashion, and the district expressed disappointment in one particular instance in which a work order for an outside door that would not latch was over 95 days old.

When asked about the training that Sodexo provided, Sodexo responded that "there is no skills training unless the employee shows an interest and wants to grow," according to 2007 meeting notes. The district complained that the level of training that was outlined in the contract was not being met and said that Sodexo must provide employee training so that the district could have confidence in their skill level.

New Orleans, LA

Food Sector
The principal at Joseph A. Craig Elementary complained in 2008 that food was repeatedly being delivered late and they run out of food as often as 2-3 times per week. The theme of running out of meals and serving meals late, typically due to short-staffing, showed up more than once in the e-mail complaints CleanUpSodexo was provided.

At New Orleans College Prep, the founder complained in 2008 that there is often not enough breakfast being served and, at least once, no breakfast was served at all.It seems that morning staffing is often inadequate, sometimes with employees scheduled to arrive 15 minutes before food must be ready for serving. Banneker Elementary School experienced similar breakfast staffing issues in 2008. The principal contacted Sodexo to ask that employees (whose diligent work she defended in her e-mail) be supported and have adequate staffing and time to complete food preparation. The same year, Drew Elementary School also reported chronic lateness in serving lunch, which had a clear affect on instructional time.

Facilities
Many New Orleans school administrators have complained of understaffing and miscommunication, including when Sodexo has implemented staff and schedule changes.