Distribution Network
Content
Barclays has extended a fair wage deal for cleaners of its 2000 UK branches.
The bank has signed the deal with its three cleaning contractors - Aim Hygiene, Lancaster and Mitie Cleaning & Support Services - after introducing a similar package at its new London headquarters two years ago (EP5, issue 11, p7).
The cleaners now receive a guaranteed minimum of £6.05 ($11.35) an hour, which is £1 above the minimum wage, and will also receive a 15p-an-hour bonus every month dependent on work performance and attendance.
Additionally, they will get pension contributions, enhanced sick pay, increased holiday entitlement and training to a recognized industry standard. The arrangement directly affects about 2400 cleaners, who now mostly work in the day, rather than at night, in order to promote better work-life balance.
Barclays ultimately pays more to the cleaning contractors, but says the agreement is both socially responsible and to its own benefit, as the cleaners at its headquarters are now more motivated, produce better-quality work and stay in their jobs longer.
'Although our direct contract is with our contractors, who in turn directly employ and pay the cleaners, we recognize that ultimately it is we who are responsible for improving their standard of living,' said Jon Couret, Barclays' head of facilities management.
Ray Lancaster, chairman of Lancaster Office Cleaning, said that cleaning companies had always found it difficult to act to improve wages and conditions in a 'highly competitive market' in which companies are continually trying to cut costs. 'This fair wage package is a monumental leap forward,' he said.
Barclays is expanding its UK financial inclusion programme by providing £3.6million ($6.7m) to Help the Aged and the children's charity National Children's Home. Under the programme, more than 3500 employees will provide money management and financial advice through the charities on a voluntary basis.
The bank has signed the deal with its three cleaning contractors - Aim Hygiene, Lancaster and Mitie Cleaning & Support Services - after introducing a similar package at its new London headquarters two years ago (EP5, issue 11, p7).
The cleaners now receive a guaranteed minimum of £6.05 ($11.35) an hour, which is £1 above the minimum wage, and will also receive a 15p-an-hour bonus every month dependent on work performance and attendance.
Additionally, they will get pension contributions, enhanced sick pay, increased holiday entitlement and training to a recognized industry standard. The arrangement directly affects about 2400 cleaners, who now mostly work in the day, rather than at night, in order to promote better work-life balance.
Barclays ultimately pays more to the cleaning contractors, but says the agreement is both socially responsible and to its own benefit, as the cleaners at its headquarters are now more motivated, produce better-quality work and stay in their jobs longer.
'Although our direct contract is with our contractors, who in turn directly employ and pay the cleaners, we recognize that ultimately it is we who are responsible for improving their standard of living,' said Jon Couret, Barclays' head of facilities management.
Ray Lancaster, chairman of Lancaster Office Cleaning, said that cleaning companies had always found it difficult to act to improve wages and conditions in a 'highly competitive market' in which companies are continually trying to cut costs. 'This fair wage package is a monumental leap forward,' he said.
Barclays is expanding its UK financial inclusion programme by providing £3.6million ($6.7m) to Help the Aged and the children's charity National Children's Home. Under the programme, more than 3500 employees will provide money management and financial advice through the charities on a voluntary basis.Super Featured
No
Featured
No