HSBC Cleaner Receives Thanks from British Cleaning Council

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07 May 2021 | Updated 12 May 2021

A resignation note from an HSBC cleaner has led to several messages of support on social media for the nation’s cleaning staff, including a personal thanks from the British Cleaning Council.

Julie Cousins, who had reportedly worked as a cleaner for HSBC for 35 years, left a resignation note describing allegedly "aggressive and cruel" behaviour from management.

HSBC’s global FM provider is JLL, but a spokesperson from JLL confirmed that, for cleaning services, they use a subcontractor in the UK.

Cousins' note read:

"So going forward, please all of you remember - in a world when you can be anything, be kind, because you are all no better than the cleaner," she wrote.

Her son Joe then shared the note on Twitter, which attracted over 3,000 replies. Some were from other cleaners who described similar treatment, others offered words of support.

And this is why I love my mum. She’s been cleaning banks for 35 years and today walked out with this lovely note left for that awful manager. Happy retirement Mum - always have the last laugh eh! 💚☺️ #Tada pic.twitter.com/u8G73MTPMA

— Joe 😎💫 (@joecousins89) April 30, 2021

The Essential Role of Cleaners

Chair of the British Cleaning Council, Paul Thrupp, after reading the story, felt he had to reach out to Cousins to offer his support:

“We were disappointed to hear that this industry colleague had allegedly been shown so little respect in her workplace.

“On behalf of the BCC, I have written to this lady’s family so that we can highlight her great work and thank her on behalf of the cleaning and hygiene industry.    

“Everybody is entitled to respect at work and that includes cleaning and hygiene staff, whose essential role has never been more important than it is now. 

“Throughout the pandemic, many cleaning and hygiene personnel have continued to go to work, putting themselves at risk to protect the health and well-being of others, and our industry will continue to play a vital role as the UK recovers from COVID-19. 

“I'm pleased to say that there is much more recognition of our sector's contribution now than ever before and the days of cleaning and hygiene operatives being ‘invisible’ are behind us.”

Picture: a photograph of a vacuum cleaner on a carpet

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 07 May 2021

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