Decorations may depress jobless

11:04am Thursday 14th December 2006

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SCROOGE bosses have banned Christmas decorations from the Job Centre in Bexleyheath.

The decision has affected around 17 centres across south London, and also includes Job Centre and Jobcentre Plus offices in Lewisham, Greenwich and Bromley.

Staff say they were told in a meeting to keep baubles and tinsel out of the front offices where customers are.

It followed comments made by the district manager for south London, Chris Nicol, who told a national newspaper decorations may depress the unemployed who can't afford to celebrate Christmas.

He said: "It's about considering the feelings of people who might not be able to afford Christmas.

"Because of their circumstances they might not have decorations at home.

"I don't think they should have their noses rubbed in it by walking into a job centre."

But the move has achieved the opposite effect according to some staff, with gloomy job seekers wondering where the decorations have gone.

One worker from Bexley's Jobcentre Plus in Bexleyheath Broadway, said: "I couldn't believe it when I heard we couldn't put decorations up.

"Everyone looks gloomier than last year. How can a bit of tinsel and few baubles depress anyone? It's absurd."

A spokesman for the Job Centre said district managers have the discretion whether to allow Christmas decorations to be displayed.

But he claimed managers took the decision on health and safety grounds.

He said: "Christmas decorations come in all shapes and sizes.

"If we were to ban all decorations, or a few Christmas cards couldn't be put up, this would be ludicrous.

"But workers might put up huge decorations which could get in the way. It's about using a bit of common sense."

When asked about Mr Nicol's comments, the spokesman added: "This might be his personal view, but I cannot comment on it."