Store manager threatened to discipline employees if they weren’t at work after Hurricane Irma
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A Pizza Hut manager threatened to discipline employees who failed to show up to work in the immediate aftermath of devastating Hurricane Irma.
The Jacksonville, Florida store was in the path of the storm – but that didn’t stop its manager from demanding evacuated employees return to their jobs within three days.
A memo, circulated on Twitter, gave staff a 24-hour “grace period” to evacuate before Irma hit. The store would remain open until six to 12 hours before the storm arrived.
If staff evacuated, they had to return to work within 72 hours or their absence would be considered a “no-call/no show”, for which they would be disciplined, the memo said.
“After the storm, we need all TM’s (team members) available to get the store up and running and serve our communities as needed.”
Pizza Hut wants its minimum wage employees to risk their lives for corporate profits. (@KatiSipp) pic.twitter.com/r8rwb3O7I6
— Jacobin (@jacobinmag) September 11, 2017
The memo came despite local authorities urging residents not to leave their evacuations till the last minute.
Pizza Hut was lashed on social media, with customers saying they’d no longer eat there.
@pizzahut why do you threaten workers who flee Irma?This is sick!
— brucewayne (@centurysavior) September 11, 2017
@pizzahut You guys are closed on Christmas, but sending delivery drivers to their death for a hurricane? What's up with that?
— Avery (@Avyrey) September 11, 2017
Shame on you @pizzahut 4 that memo. So sad, I was a pizza hut fan until now, no more pizzahut for me and my friends. @PapaJohns acted better
— Moshe (@moshemsh) September 12, 2017
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