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The strife of Brian
Wednesday 11th February 2009, 11:00AM GMT.
Flat-capped Brian Hackworthy has been a popular character among traders and customers at Shrewsbury’s Indoor Market Hall for more than 30 years.
But the cleaner, who has never had more than a week off sick in his life, has been left stunned after being told his work is not up to scratch by his new bosses – despite them having only been in charge for two weeks.
The devastated 55-year-old, of Crowmeole Drive, Copthorne, has also been told that his flat-cap, which he has worn since starting the job in 1976, is not welcome anymore and is not to be worn while he works.
He was summoned to an “investigative meeting” organised by his new employers Westgrove Cleaning Services to discuss his alleged poor performance.
The company, which took on the sub-contract for cleaning services on January 26, claims that Mr Hackworthy has failed to complete set-tasks.
Mr Hackworthy says he now worries he is going to get the sack.
He said he has not received an official verbal or written warning.
“I have been working here for 33 years,” he said. “There are four of us but no-one else has been given a letter. They don’t agree with it.
“The manager writes a list out but it’s just far too much. You can’t get through it unless you make a mess of it. I feel gutted.”
David Whittle, who runs Homesbury Estate Agents at the Market Hall, said: “I think it’s just appalling. I can’t believe they think his work isn’t up to scratch. All the workers are exactly the same, we’re all very happy with the work that Brian and the others do.”
A letter from the employer says that Mr Hackworthy’s standards are “falling below what is expected by the company” and that he has “failed on more than one occasion” to complete tasks as requested.
A spokeswoman for Westgrove said the company did not want to comment.
A spokeswoman for the Market Hall said it would be inappropriate to comment.
Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, said he would be talking to the company.
By Russell Roberts
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Brian ignore the pig ignorant pen pushers. Sounds like they need to get a life to me!!
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Pathetic – Think it’s time to sack the bosses not Brian – maybe we need a ‘Save The Brian’ campaign …. now where’s that number for The Sun …
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Too many non-jobs through out the country!
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Clearly, if Mr. Hackworthy fails to complete his objectives, he will be disciplined by his employers. As for the cap, his employers obviously have dress codes and Mr. Hackworthy should adhere to these. Perhaps Mr . Hackworty should devote as much energy to his occupation as he does bleating to the local media.
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I think ive heard it all now,with thousands accross the county to lazy to even look for work,give the guy a break.He obviously loves his job and if he wasnt any good at it,would he still be there 33 years later?I would suggest a payrise due to lengthy loyal service.
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This is a direct result of the government’s plan to give companies £2000 for everyone they take on.
The new bosses are just looking for an excuse to sack him, so that they can stick a younger person in and grab the government’s reward for doing so. Result? 1 on the dole, 1 off it, total difference = zero, but the taxpayers fork out £2000 to more greedy bosses.
Another knee-jerk plan from Gordon and Darling that pushes vulnerable people into misery, another knee-jerk plan that rewards management greed!
You watch – it’ll be the NHS next, telling cleaners that they’re too old to work and must retire.
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I surprise myself by agreeing with H.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and theirs is that his work isn’t good enough. Fair enough.
When my mother became a head teacher she inherited a caretaker who had been allowed to let his standards slip – he thought he was doing a great job. Visitors knew he wasn’t. Years have gone by, with much intervention and he simply refuses to believe that he’s not doing a good job.
Just because he’s spent 30 years doing his job one way doesn’t mean he can’t improve now.
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If there was a dress code at this place of work – do you not think this gentleman ould be aware of it?
My impression of the Maket Hall is that it is darned cold place in the winter and the company should provide appropriate clothing for the conditions under which he works – including a hat if the flat cap is unacceptable.
Additionally he shoould eb told exactly what is not ‘up to scratch’ about his work and he should be given the opportunity to comment – and if necessary improve on what is seen to be wrong.
It seems unfair at first but then the guy hasn’t been given the sack so is this a storm in a teacup??
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have three weetabix for breakfast brian and spend less time leaning on the broom .
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HSJP
..These comments are a bit rich coming from an individual who bleats to the local media at every possibility!
This all seems a bit overly personal even by your normally low standards.
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Hi Brian,
Dress code? I would invest in a Gandulph hat.
Clearly a new rule written by some under-employed Council nobody looking to try to become important.
Too many Chiefs and not enough Indians!
Perhaps this rule-seeker should be promoted to become Brians Assistant.
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Well done Brian, we are all proud of you.
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Have you seen the toilets?! i guess the new company was brought in for a reason. I say theres plenty of people willing to work for a living, give them the job.
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these companies are large and i would say when ever they take some area over if your face dont fit out you go stick to your guns and dont let them push you out .
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What a disgrace! this man has worked there for all of 33 years and with no sickness record!! So what if he wears his cap whilst working, its cold and damp in that building, and they are saying “His work is not upto scratch” So why has he been working there for so long? He must be doing something right. The new bosses should be ashamed of themselves!! Stop bulling this gentle chap into leaving his much loved job. Keep up the good work Brian and dont let them push you out
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Love the photo Brian, very smart “clean” uniform, brand new bucket and mop handle did your bossses give you them specially for the photo-shot or is it that they have yet to be used!!!
Think there is more to this than Brian is letting on.
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well well ,
townie said: Feb 11th, 2009 at 1:05 pm I surprise myself by agreeing with H.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and theirs is that his work isn’t good enough. Fair enough.
When my mother became a head teacher she inherited a caretaker who had been allowed to let his standards slip – he thought he was doing a great job. Visitors knew he wasn’t. Years have gone by, with much intervention and he simply refuses to believe that he’s not doing a good job.
Just because he’s spent 30 years doing his job .
Perhaps the same could be said for many teachers whp also refuse to change, they have a dippy fit when there work is questioned, and they tun off to there drs for a sick note or to there union who belong in the dark ages .
As for katies comments say what you mean , first hand knowledge???.
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I cant belive what the fuss is all about. This chap has been asked to remove a hat. Thats all just a hat. If it is not company uniform where is the issue. Many industries supply uniform to their employees. Armed Forces, NHS and the Police and as far as I am aware they are not to add their own trade mark to their uniforms. Even many school follow the uniform policy and children are sent home for breaking the rules. So why are we given this guy so much attention? As far as the MH cleaning standards are concerned I think they are very poor. The loos are out of bounds to me and my family and until I read this artical was unaware that there are cleaners present.
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excuse my post above missing letters etc heavy night. perhaps kate should explain her comments ?? is Brian supposed to be a dirty unkept cleaner in your view?? to prove he is a cleaner?? . Sadly there are many out there who think they are the only ones who do any work its all a matter of opinion.As for is the market hall dirty ask the general public not some middle class pen pushing oik with a pointless degree who hasnt done a days hard work in his/her life.
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david a little oik comment from you me i think
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HSJP, I agree with you 100% and that doesn’t happen often.I’m afarid this is life,a new company comes in, they have different standards. Is this really something our PM should be getting involved in ? Im sure there are many more bandwagons for the spoilt little boy to jump on !
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some people seem to think our mp should not help a consituant becouse they think the person is not worth it .very sad way to look at life and personal insults very odd .
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i bet he gets a gold plated pension at my expense too. The council is always lazy and beurocratic and the more staff we get rid off the cheaper it is to live with lower taxes for the economy
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Tory boy seems to be more ignorant than people have said in the past a cleaner with a gold plated pension lol.
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I have read this artical and the similar one in the national paper with a few add on bits. This man states that he was summoneds to an investigative meeting to discussed his alleged poor performance. It is reported that he was left stunned after being told his work was not up to scratch. He carries on but telling us that he has NOT recieved an offical verbal or written warning. Are bosses not allowed to give employees constructive comments in order to improve standards now. I would just like to say how fortunate this man is to still be in a job. From what I have read his employers have carried out the correct procedures. My employers would have dismissed me for these actions on the grounds of the behaviour likely to bring the company into disrepute. Maybe he should be thankful he is still in employment.
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AF we are all entitled to have our say how come you seem to have to past comment on all posts that come across as negative towards the man.
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I have not, of course any one can pass comment how ever this poor guy is im sure low paid. And as it is low paid he is more than likely giving value for money.
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AF Can I take the time to diasect your lastest post: “I have not” But you have, read the whole page again. “the poor guy u are sure is low paid” Then you state “As it is low paid” So because you think he is low paid his employers are getting value for money. How condersending are you. Remember you only think he is low paid. No one in this country is low paid any more national wage correctly put that right. Salary Staff are often on less than this when you divide their hours by their salary. Perhaps you have to much time on your hands.
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LOL no one in this country is low paid?? ,I was low paid until 2/3 years ago when i went on my own etc etc .How ever if people as you say are not low paid why then why is the tax payer having to fork out for tax credits to give these poor chaps more money ? .I knew one person on 13k 2children and wife he was on top of that getting £101pm working tax credit plus £398 tax credit. Thats getting through the tax credit system nearly 6k a year off the guv and tax payer so clearly the guv thinks there is low pay out there or is it a yearly tip?.Your argument on salary paid staff is pointless as with civil servants you can actually do with out half of them most are sat around with time on there hands any way.
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Yet again in your stero-type opinon.
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sterio-type opinion but oh so true as most will agree one of britains most succesfull business men sir digby jones actually stated the same fact with regards civil sevants.THEY CAN BE HALVED.
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