'Don't call in sick for the next three weeks' jeweller Pandora tells staff

Monday, 14 December 2020

Jewellery store Pandora asks staff to avoid taking sick leave over Christmas

Some workers at jewellery retailer Pandora have been asked not to take sick leave over the Christmas period because it was a busy time for the business.

In a video sent to staff, the head of The Howley Group, Joseph Howley, Pandora’s franchisor of some New Zealand and Australian stores, said because the company was going into a “very busy” time of the year, staff should not call in sick for the next three weeks.

“You are very important to this business. Don’t call in sick. If anyone’s calling sick, cancelling shifts, I need to know about this. You need to talk to me directly,” Howley said.

“Unless you have something serious you’re not supposed to do that 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 your full support. Is that clear?”

The video had upset staff, and raised concerns, one worker who did not want to be named said.

Joesph Howley asking staff to avoid taking sick leave for three weeks during the busy Christmas period.

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A Pandora spokeswoman said that Howley was not asking staff to avoid taking leave over Christmas.

“Whilst it was not communicated effectively, in the video staff were being asked to contact The Howley Group directly in the event that they cannot attend their allocated shift, in order to best manage alternative arrangements,” she said.

“The video is not aligned with our overarching approach at Pandora.”

She said that throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Pandora supported and enforced health and safety guidelines, including the use of personal leave when staff were unwell.

Employment lawyer Susan Hornsby-Geluk says the situation at The Howley Group Pandora stores is “highly inappropriate”.

The wellbeing of staff and customers was important to the company, she said.

Pandora had discussed the video with Howley “at length this morning”, she said.

“We sincerely apologise to staff for any upset caused and we categorically make ourselves available to ensure that they are aware of their entitlements.”

Employment lawyer Susan Hornsby-Geluk said the situation seemed “highly inappropriate” and potentially a breach of the employer’s obligations to provide a safe workplace for both the employee concerned and everyone.

She said workers were entitled to take sick leave if they were unwell.

“It is also completely irresponsible in this Covid-19 environment,” Hornsby-Geluk said.

Howley’s Facebook page showed he had reposted videos about United States President Donald Trump with the caption: “Trump is the only president in the world who openly call upon the Lord Jesus Christ!”

The US president copped criticism for his handling of Covid-19. The US has more had 16.3 million cases and recorded almost 300,000 deaths.

Sydney-based Howley was also the director of Australian jewellery store Carati Jeweller, which was owned by The Howley Group and had stores in New Zealand.

The Howley Group was advertising for Christmas assistant jobs at Pandora stores in Auckland, at Sylvia Park, Manukau and Newmarket.

The Government has introduced a bill to double the legal minimum of paid sick leave to 10 days a year by late next year.

It has opted not to increase the maximum amount of sick leave that can be stockpiled by an employee, however, keeping that limit at 20 days.