A GROUP of SNP MPs have written to a call centre company after being contacted by dozens of employees who claimed they felt intimidated to work during the Covid-19 crisis.
The seven MPs – Stewart McDonald, Amy Callaghan, Alison Thewliss, Neil Gray, Mhairi Black, Anne McLaughlin and Stuart McDonald – represent constituencies where Teleperformance has sites. The company has told employees they will be made key workers who deliver “critical services” during the coronavirus lock down.
Staff at the firm claim they are being told if they don’t felt comfortable working then they can stay at home – but they would only receive statutory sick pay in this scenario, despite government having pledged to pay up to 80% of workers’ wages.
The group of SNP MPs say staff concerns are being dismissed, and workers have been urged to car share if they don’t feel comfortable travelling on public transport.
Staff also told the group that social distancing guidelines are not being observed at the workplace.
Writing to the company’s chief executive Gary Slade, the MPs said: “Your staff want to work in a safe and healthy environment, and it is clear from what they are telling us that this is not happening.
Non-essential workers are being pressured to keep working as normal. We’ve been contacted by @TPmarketingUK staff who are having their own health concerns disregarded as ‘childish’, being told to stop making a fuss and even threatened with their jobs. It’s not on. pic.twitter.com/sXgGfN2pqq
— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) March 28, 2020
“At best there is a casual disregard for people’s concerns from line management, at worst they are made to feel threatened and intimidated.
“Every single person who has contacted us has asked to remain anonymous because they fear losing their job. They have zero confidence in your company’s internal whistleblowing procedures.”
The group said if there is no change in Teleperformance’s behaviour, they will report the concerns to Police Scotland the Health and Safety Executive.
The National has approached Teleperformance for comment.
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