A poster telling staff at a Moray takeaway that days off over the festive period will “not be accepted” has been taken down amid concerns it was “threatening”.
Employees at the Elgin branch of Domino’s Pizza were met with the message while starting shifts at the store this month.
One employee contacted the Press and Journal to raise concerns that staff may feel “forced” to turn up to work in the food preparation area even if they are unwell.
The message tells staff that sick days “will not be accepted” on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Hogmanay or New Year’s Day – warning that they will be “noted and reported” if they do not turn up for work.
One staff member said: “I’m sympathetic that it’s going to be busy over the Christmas period and sick days won’t help – but it’s not right that staff for are legitimately ill and aren’t off at other periods are penalised.
“I don’t know what the process would be if you did call in sick but it certainly feels threatening.”
The poster was taken down in the franchise store after the Press and Journal contacted Domino’s.
Rachael Giles, a spokeswoman for the firm, said: “This notice doesn’t reflect the views of Domino’s or how we lead our store colleagues.
“The poster was put up by a store manager whose first language wasn’t English and the meaning was lost in translation. Any staff member who is sick can of course take time off to get better.”