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Some workers at jewelry retailer Pandora were asked not to be sick during the Christmas period because it was a busy time for the business.
In a video sent to staff, The Howley Group director Joseph Howley, the Pandora franchisor of some New Zealand and Australian stores, said that because the company was entering a “very busy” time of year, the staff should not report ill for the next three weeks.
“You are very important to this business. Don’t call sick. If someone calls in sick, cancels shifts, I need to know. You have to speak to me directly, ”Howley said.
“Unless you have something serious, you are not supposed to do it for the next three weeks. After that, you can do whatever you want, no problem.
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“But those three weeks I need all your support. Is it clear? “
The video upset staff and raised concerns, said a worker who did not want to be identified.
A Pandora spokeswoman said Howley was not asking staff to avoid taking a Christmas vacation.
“While it was not communicated effectively, the video asked staff to contact The Howley Group directly in the event they were unable to attend their assigned shift, in order to better manage alternate arrangements,” he said. .
“The video is not aligned with our overall focus on Pandora.”
SCREENSHOT
Joesph Howley asking staff to avoid taking sick leave for three weeks during the busy Christmas period.
He said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Pandora supported and enforced health and safety guidelines, including using personal licenses when staff were unwell.
The well-being of staff and customers was important to the company, he said.
Pandora had discussed the video with Howley “extensively this morning,” she said.
“We sincerely apologize to the staff for any discomfort caused and we are categorically available to make sure they are aware of their rights.”
Labor attorney Susan Hornsby-Geluk said the situation appeared “very inappropriate” and potentially a violation of the employer’s obligations to provide a safe workplace for both the employee in question and everyone.
He said workers had the right to take sick leave if they were unwell.
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Labor attorney Susan Hornsby-Geluk says the situation at The Howley Group Pandora stores is “very inappropriate.”
“It’s also completely irresponsible in this Covid-19 environment,” Hornsby-Geluk said.
Howley’s Facebook page showed that he had reposted videos about the President of the United States, Donald Trump, with the caption: “Trump is the only president in the world who openly invokes the Lord Jesus Christ!”
The president of the United States accepted the criticism for his handling of Covid-19. The United States has had more than 16.3 million cases and has recorded nearly 300,000 deaths.
Sydney-based Howley was also a director of Australian jewelry Carati Jeweler, which was owned by The Howley Group and had stores in New Zealand.
The Howley Group advertised Christmas assistant jobs at Pandora stores in Auckland, in Sylvia Park, Manukau and Newmarket.
The government has introduced a bill to double the legal minimum paid sick leave to 10 days a year by the end of next year.
However, you have chosen not to increase the maximum amount of sick leave an employee can accrue, keeping that limit at 20 days.
