Bank slammed for campaign

London – A Valentine’s Day special deal for HSBC staff in Hong Kong offering discounted laptops “for him” but vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances “for her” has angered staff over the sexist implications of the campaign.

The offer has drawn criticism from HSBC staff both in Hong Kong and in London, where it was posted in an internal chatroom, according to a source.

The multi-page advertisement, described as an “HSBC staff offer” and apparently produced by an external company, offers discounts on a range of goods to Hong Kong workers at Europe’s biggest bank.

On pages festooned with pink heart drawings, the “for him” section offers discount laptop computers, as well as a GoPro camera and wireless headphones, while the “for her” gifts include five different vacuum cleaners, a blender and a kitchen water tap.

“The offer is from a third party source who manage their own marketing materials. HSBC is committed to gender diversity in the workplace,” said a spokesperson.

The controversy over the sexist implications of the advertising offer comes amid a widening debate about sexism and gender pay disparity in banking and associated industries.