Foreign Office cleaners disciplined for raising low pay concerns

-

Cleaners at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London who complained to foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, about their low levels of pay, are being disciplined by their employers.

The 14 cleaning staff raised the issue of the living wage in the letter and have since received documents from cleaning contractor Interserve asking them to attend an interview that could lead to their suspension from work, or redundancy. Inteserve say the letter is unrelated to the meeting.

However the letter from Interserve, says they are under investigation for “bringing the contract into disrepute”and the Hammond letter was enclosed as evidence.

Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Keep up with the latest in HR...
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Optin_date
This field is hidden when viewing the form

 

Cleaners at the FCO are currently paid just over the minimum wage, at £7.05 an hour, which will rise to the government’s so-called “national living wage” of £7.20 an hour for over-25s from next April.

Robert joined the HRreview editorial team in October 2015. After graduating from the University of Salford in 2009 with a BA in Politics, Robert has spent several years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past he has been part of editorial teams at Flux Magazine, Mondo*Arc Magazine and The Marine Professional.

Latest news

Superdry co-founder’s victim warns workplace power can silence abuse victims

A survivor's account raises questions about speaking-up cultures and accountability in organisations.

UK’s always-on work culture ‘driving employee burnout’

Nearly half of UK workers say they end most working days mentally exhausted as rising workplace pressure leaves employees and managers struggling to switch off.

Andrew Murray on why no two days look alike

A people development leader shares how travel, training and a passion for helping others shape a working day with little room for routine.

Lucy Standing: Older workers are back in the centre of the hiring debate – ready to lead the response?

For HR leaders, the argument is simple: the people being filtered out of your hiring process are not past their best.
- Advertisement -

One in 10 women quit work after pregnancy loss, report finds

Research suggests inconsistent workplace support following pregnancy loss and maternity leave is contributing to resignations and poorer mental wellbeing.

Fear of becoming obsolete grips workers as AI reshapes careers

More than two in five workers worry their skills could become outdated as AI reshapes hiring demands and increases pressure to keep learning.

Must read

Georgina Wilson: ‘Social media screening – Is the private online activity of the people you employ really any of your business?’

Is social media screening an acceptable part of the recruitment process and employment?

Stuart Affleck: How to increase diversity of thought in the workplace

"The idea that the people sat round the table are not all approaching a problem with the same thought process, but instead introducing different ideas and problem-solving skills is hugely important."
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you