In the UK, TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations) is a law that protects employees when their service contract changes hands, like when a business switches cleaning companies.
What it is: TUPE means the existing cleaning staff usually transfer to the new cleaning provider with their same terms and conditions.
Why it matters: It ensures job stability for the cleaners and provides continuity for the client, who gets to keep the same familiar team.
Client benefits: While some clients worry about inheriting underperforming staff, a good cleaning company sees it as a chance to improve. By offering better training, communication, and fair treatment, the new company can motivate the existing team and boost their performance, leading to a stable, reliable cleaning crew.
When businesses change cleaning providers, many assume it means starting fresh with a completely new team. But in the UK, that’s rarely the case. Thanks to TUPE legislation, the staff already working on the contract usually transfer to the new provider. This ensures continuity for the client and protection for the cleaners.
So, what is TUPE and why does it matter in cleaning contracts?
TUPE stands for the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations. Put simply, it’s a set of rules designed to protect employees when the business they work for changes ownership - or when services, like cleaning, are taken over by a new contractor.
For cleaning contracts, TUPE legislation means that when you switch from one contractor to another, the cleaners working at your site will usually transfer across to the new company on the same terms and conditions.
This continuity is particularly important for office cleaning, where trust, consistency, and familiarity with the site make a big difference.
Many clients worry that inheriting staff through TUPE means they’re stuck with underperforming cleaners. But handled well, TUPE can actually be a huge advantage.
At Jaguar Contract Cleaning Services, we see TUPE as an opportunity:
The result? A motivated team with a sense of pride in their work. Our approach has led to a staff turnover rate of just 15% - far below industry average. For our clients, that means no endless cycle of new faces. Instead, they build trust and long-term relationships with reliable cleaners who actually want to stay.
When you move your cleaning contract to Jaguar, we don’t just “take on” staff - we invest in them. That’s why clients who were once frustrated with poor standards often see a complete turnaround once our team gets involved.
This combination of legal compliance, staff care, and proactive management makes TUPE not a challenge, but a benefit for both cleaners and clients. Learn more about our office cleaning services.
So, what is TUPE and why should you care? TUPE legislation in cleaning contracts protects staff, creates continuity for clients, and - when handled with the Jaguar approach - delivers long-term benefits. Ready to experience the Jaguar difference? Make an enquiry today.