The dismissal of a 71-year-old cleaner, Janet Olufunke Damiro, from the London School of Economics (LSE) has ignited a broader conversation about fairness in the workplace, particularly in the treatment of elderly and minority staff in lower-paid roles.
Damiro, a Nigerian-born grandmother who has lived in the United Kingdom since 1971, was sacked in April 2025 after working at LSE for 13 years. The dismissal followed an allegation of theft involving a student’s bracelet found at the Saw Swee Hock Student Centre, where she was on duty.
According to Damiro, the bracelet was picked up during her shift and placed in her coin purse for safekeeping, with the intention of handing it in later. However, she says she forgot about it until she was questioned by LSE management three days later. She then retrieved the item and immediately returned it, apologising for the oversight.
“I can’t sleep. I have never had a bad record or been to HR before in my life,” Damiro told *Metro UK*. “LSE have treated me really badly. It was my only job and I loved working there. I never expected to be suspended or dismissed. I did not steal this thing.”
Despite her apology and the return of the item, Damiro was suspended and later dismissed for gross misconduct. Her union, United Voices of the World (UVW), is contesting the decision and has launched an appeal on her behalf.
Speaking on the union’s position, a UVW spokesperson said, “It is ludicrous and absurd that someone can conclude she was committing an act of theft. If you were to steal an item, you’re not going to keep bringing it back to where you’ve stolen it. Janet is absolutely horrified at the thought that anyone would think she had stolen anything.”
Damiro’s dismissal has prompted an outpouring of support from her colleagues. Over 70 of them, including three supervisors, submitted a joint letter to LSE management defending her integrity and professionalism. “Janet has always conducted herself with integrity and consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic,” the letter read.
Students at the university have also launched a petition demanding her reinstatement. The petition criticises the school’s decision as “deeply disturbing” and argues that a sweeping punishment for what appears to be a minor and honest mistake undermines trust in institutional fairness.
Adding to the growing public response, Damiro’s daughter, Aina, released a statement describing the situation as “blown out of proportion.” She explained that the bracelet had remained untouched in her mother’s locker and that Damiro responded with full honesty and cooperation when questioned. “There was no denial or attempt to hide it,” the family said, calling the university’s decision “a disproportionate response lacking empathy.”
The family also raised concerns about how older workers and women of colour in support roles are treated. “To see her name and image used to suggest wrongdoing is not only unfair but deeply hurtful,” the statement added. “This was an innocent mistake that has been misrepresented in a way that raises questions about institutional attitudes.”
LSE has declined to comment publicly while the internal appeal process is ongoing. A hearing is expected later in June.
Meanwhile, the case has gained attention online, with hashtags such as #JusticeForJanet and #RespectElderWorkers circulating across social media platforms. Many users have described the school’s actions as unnecessarily punitive and have called for reconsideration.
As Damiro awaits the outcome of the appeal, she says she remains emotionally and financially devastated. “I have been left without a job, without income, and without justice,” she said. (Guardian)
