They claim that, during the time they worked there, the site in Poseidon Way was poorly managed and staff were treated badly.

But HSBC, Europe's largest bank, does not accept the claims.

Thomas Rudge, who left the centre in August, said: "The treatment to staff in the building was disgraceful.

"Management did not care about the 'peasants' and you always felt that one day they would just screw you over.

"I have every sympathy with my ex-colleagues and friends there and wish them all the best for the future."

During the two years Mr Rudge worked at the centre he was part of a team which was moving services over to the company's call centres in India.

Unite, the union representing staff, has expressed concerns that this is one of the reasons why HSBC is making around 1,200 job cuts in the UK.

Mr Rudge said: "I can honestly say it did not go to plan as the work was just too difficult for the Indian workers to understand.

"We could not understand them and they couldn't understand us.

"They could not write simple customer letters and lacked the personal touch on the telephone."

Another former employee, who declined to be named, said it was "obvious" they would not be there for long.

The former employee added: "It was very poorly managed, if at all, and very little work got done there.

"The staff turnover was huge.

"This is because it was not a pleasant or productive place to work with little scope for development or career progression."

The Leamington office will close in 14 months and some of its work will be moved to another centre in Southampton.

Many of the staff had to move from Sheffield or London six years ago to work at the site.

Current employee Davinder Sarai said: "No jobs, no money, the economy is going down the hole."

HSBC spokesman Tim Pie said all HSBC employees are trained to the same standards whether they work in the UK or abroad.

He admitted there could be "teething problems" when work is moved to a new location but assured customers that these projects are closely monitored and problems are dealt with immediately to maintain levels of service.

He added: "I do not accept the allegation that the centre in Leamington was poorly managed.

"It has always operated at a high standard.

"It is unfortunate that former employees choose to make claims such as this.

"If either of these individuals would like to make a formal complaint, we will investigate it."

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