One Pizza Hut Told Employees They Could Be Punished For Skipping Work To Flee Irma
A memo to a Jacksonville Pizza Hut's employees regarding Hurricane Irma shifts is causing controversy after it was circulated on social media this weekend. In the memo, the store manager outlined strict instructions on working before and after the hurricane, and told employees they may be disciplined for missing shifts due to evacuation.
Workers were told the restaurant wouldn't be closed until 6 to 12 hours before the storm hit. "If evacuating, you will have a 24-hour period before storm 'grace period' to not be scheduled," the memo read. "You cannot evacuate Friday for a Tuesday storm event!"
Employees were also told they must return from an evacuation within 72 hours. "Failure to show for these shifts, regardless of reason, will be considered a no call/no show and documentation will be issued," the memo stated.
Pizza Hut wants its minimum wage employees to risk their lives for corporate profits. (@KatiSipp) pic.twitter.com/r8rwb3O7I6
- Jacobin (@jacobinmag) September 11, 2017
While the memo also said the store's first priority is the safety and security of the team, these guidelines seemed unfairly strict given the evacuation advice by Florida Governor Rick Scott and local officials.
Leaving 24 hours before a storm hits increases the likelihood of getting stuck in traffic or worse, stuck on the road without gas or supplies. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry had been urging residents to evacuate for a week before the storm hit. In the wake of Irma, 356 Jacksonville residents had to be rescued from flood waters.
Following the memo's circulation, Pizza Hut posted a statement on its website saying the manager who posted the letter did not follow company guidelines, and the local franchise operator has addressed the situation with the manager.
"We absolutely do not have a policy that dictates when team members can leave or return from a disaster," the statement read. Despite the clarification, the brand continues to receive flak on social media regarding the incident.
Pizza Hut cares for $, not citizens, and their memo threatening their employees who evacuated prices it #$!$%$! https://t.co/3NnHSDUE5L
- CherokeeSon1 (@CherokeeSon1) September 12, 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
we can HOPE but we don't know. what we're going by is this memo, which lists outrageous expectations for minimum wage workers.
- Haley (@hermcki) September 10, 2017
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