Job joy for York cleaner

11:46am Friday 21st March 2008

A DISABLED woman from York who feared for her financial security after she was set to be made redundant has revealed her delight at being offered another job.

Debbie John, 43, of Acomb, who is unable to use her left arm due to cerebral palsy, began cleaning at Norwich Union (NU) in York about 21 years ago.

Initial Cleaning Services (ICS), which employs Debbie, has a contract with NU to provide a cleaning service at the insurance company's Rougier Street building.

ICS said it had put Debbie on notice for redundancy following a change to daytime cleaning on the contract with NU, and that it offered her alternative daytime employment.

It said she refused it because she already had work during the day.

At that time, Debbie was cleaning at the company's Rougier Street building between 5pm and 7pm Monday to Friday, and had another job in Acomb, cleaning for seven hours a week.

We reported last month how Debbie feared redundancy would jeopardise her financial security, and she appealed in The Press for help in finding a new job.

A spokeswoman for ICS said: "Debbie was on notice for redundancy when a vacancy came up and we were delighted to offer her the post."

Debbie, who started the full-time cleaning job, which is also at Norwich Union in York, on Monday, said: "I feel delighted. It's nice to be going back - it's where you know and where you've worked for a lot of years. I feel very pleased that I won't have to claim job seekers allowance - it's better to be working than getting benefits. I'm very pleased that I'll be on a higher income than I was before. I was working 17 hours a week. I'll be paying for rent and council tax which is nice - before, I was claiming housing benefits. I feel a lot more secure about my financial future."

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