[ad_1]
The Apotea online pharmacy has been a true success story and Founder and CEO Pär Svärdson, who previously built Adlibris, has been praised for building his company. Last year the company had sales of nearly SEK 3 billion and the increase only continued when e-commerce exploded when the crown pandemic broke out in Sweden.
But in recent times, the company has also received strong criticism. An investigation by the newspaper ETC has revealed several allegations of misconduct by e-commerce giant Apotea.
The newspaper has spoken with about 30 employees who testify about stress, sexual harassment, camera surveillance and even that the employees have been jailed.
The latter event is said to have occurred in the spring when the pandemic struck in full force and a record number of orders were received. According to a staff source, supervisors locked the doors and said they had received “orders from above” that no one should leave the room. The only way out was to work two and a half hours of mandatory overtime.
“Being trapped and not being able to go home felt very offensive,” the source told ETC.
The union calls for negotiations
The union Unionen, to which the employees are affiliated, has launched an investigation into the working conditions at the Morgongåva warehouse.
“We have contacted the members to see if they have the same experience that has been featured in the media,” Union regional ombudsman Jörgen Gustavsson tells Svenska Dagbladet.
The responses we have received so far show that many do. As soon as we have all the information, we will call to negotiate with Apotea ”.
Apotea: “We have taken action”
In a press release, Apotea says that they have taken measures to improve the working environment in the warehouse.
“It is unfortunate that current or former employees have experienced shortcomings with us and we are working hard to strengthen the working environment in the warehouse,” Apotea CEO Pär Svärdson says in the press release.
“Everyone should feel that we are a professional, safe employer and good for the health of our employees.”
He also says that the company grew rapidly when the pandemic struck and that there have been incidents where leadership has collapsed.
Company Vice President Sara Ahnström will now focus on the working environment of the Morgongåva warehouse and support the managers on site.
“I think that dialogue with unions and employees is very important and together we will improve the workplace,” says Pär Svärdson.
“I want to emphasize that surveillance and sexual harassment are completely unacceptable and we have routines to act if something happens.”
At the end of next week, the union will call for negotiations with Apotea.
[ad_2]
