TUPE Made Simple: What It Means for Your School Cleaning Contract
If the word ‘TUPE’ makes your eyes glaze over, you’re not alone.
But here’s the catch: getting TUPE wrong is one of the fastest ways to derail a cleaning contract handover. And if you’re switching providers, it’s a term you can’t afford to ignore.
So, let’s strip away the jargon and get to the point.
What is TUPE (and why should you care)?
TUPE stands for the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations. In plain English? It’s the legal framework that protects staff when services are transferred to a new provider.
So if your current cleaners are employed by your outgoing contractor, and you’re bringing in a new one, those staff likely have the right to transfer to the new provider on their existing terms.
What Happens If TUPE Isn’t Handled Properly?
It creates:
Unhappy staff who feel left in the dark
Missed legal deadlines that can cause delays
Disrupted cleaning schedules while things get sorted
Grievances or even tribunal claims if employment terms are changed unfairly
And once morale drops, it’s hard to rebuild.
What a Good TUPE Process Should Look Like
Whether you're switching cleaning providers at one site or across a trust, here’s what should happen:
1. Early Consultation
Staff need to be formally informed of the change and consulted in good time. Your new provider should work with the outgoing contractor to do this respectfully and legally.
2. Clear Communication
Who’s staying? Who’s transferring? What’s changing (if anything)? Clarity here prevents panic.
3. Shared Employment Info
The outgoing contractor must share details like salaries, holidays, sick pay etc. with the incoming provider, so contracts, rotas and pay stay consistent.
4. Support for Transferring Staff
TUPE can feel unsettling. Good providers offer one-to-one chats or Q&A sessions to help staff feel seen and supported.
Watch Out for These Red Flad
“Don’t worry, we’ll sort TUPE later.”
“We’ll just re-hire new people.”
“We’ve never had to deal with this before.”
If your prospective provider says any of these, hit pause. TUPE isn’t optional. And in schools, where safeguarding, continuity, and trust matter, it really isn’t.
Want a TUPE-Proof Plan?
Our free guide walks you through every stage of switching cleaning providers, including:
✔ TUPE timelines
✔ DBS checks
✔ Staff inductions
✔ Day One readiness
A contract switch shouldn’t start with staff confusion.
Start with clarity, and let TUPE be one less thing to worry about.
