Bosses blow off dream vacation for street cleaners
Because he does such a good job and enchants them with Elvis and his positive aura, the residents of a London neighborhood want to fulfill a street cleaner's dream. But his boss puts a stop to his vacation plans.
Paul Spiers has been cleaning the streets of Beckenham in the London borough of Bromley in all kinds of weather for seven years. Often accompanied by Elvis Presley songs playing from a portable device, the 63-year-old has become very popular among the locals. As a thank you for his excellent work, they collected £3,000 to help Spiers fulfill his dream of spending summer vacation in Portugal.
However, his bosses at the company Veolia, where Spiers works, forbid him from accepting the donation. According to the company's rules, employees are not allowed to accept "money gifts or incentives beyond their regular salary". This was reported by Lisa Knight on her GoFundMe page.
Spiers is "revered by all", has "lifted everyone's spirits with his positive aura" and kept the streets in pristine condition, according to Knight, as quoted by the "Guardian". Knight, named after Elvis' daughter Lisa Marie, met the 63-year-old through their shared love of Elvis.
Spiers told her that he had only been abroad once before, celebrating his 60th birthday in Portugal with his brother and sister. He would love to go back but needs to save up first. That's when Knight had the idea to set up a fundraising page for the street cleaner.
Overwhelmed, then shocked
More than 200 people from Beckenham have donated to help Spiers enjoy a well-deserved break in Portugal. So far, over £3,000 has been raised, mostly in small amounts of £5 or £10.
Spiers was "overwhelmed by how kind people are", according to Knight, as reported by the "Mirror". "He cried when I told him about the first £200, and again when I told him about the rest."
To prevent Spiers from getting into trouble, Knight contacted Veolia and informed them about the fundraising campaign. "I was shocked when they said he couldn't accept the money", quoted the "Guardian". "They said it could be seen as bribery." Spiers himself took the news well. He loves his job and doesn't want to lose it. "I hope Veolia will change their mind", adds Knight.
"What nonsense!"
The residents of Beckenham are upset that Spiers is not allowed to keep the collected money. On the Facebook page of the "Beckenham Appreciation Group", one user wrote: "This money is clearly not a 'bribe' or an 'incentive' of any kind; it's a gift from the grateful citizens of Beckenham. What nonsense!" Another wrote: "Just give it to him, buy it, and add his name to it. The world has gone mad!!!"
Even the Labour MP for Beckenham got involved. In a letter posted on X, Liam Conlon expresses his bewilderment and calls on the council to take a "sensible approach" to allow Spiers to accept the gift from the community members and enjoy his vacation in Portugal.
So far, it doesn't seem like Veolia is budging. A spokesperson stated: "We're very grateful for the support and recognition the community is showing for Paul, who, along with a dedicated street cleaning team, is doing a fantastic job keeping Bromley's streets clean." The company plans to donate a similar amount of the collected sum to a charity chosen by Spiers. Additionally, the 63-year-old is set to be named "Bromley's Neighborhood Employee of the Quarter." According to the "Mirror," the award comes with an unspecified financial reward, believed to be well below the £3000 mark.
The European Union expresses interest in recognizing Paul Spiers's exceptional service and positive impact on his community, given the outpouring of support from the residents of Beckenham. Unfortunately, Veolia's strict policies do not allow for such external donations or awards to impact an employee's salary, as reported by several news outlets.
