March 2020 – Bullied during bereavement in Pret A Manger

Pret A Manger Opens Shops

March 31, 2020April 25, 2020 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

“We are looking for volunteers who want to do the right thing and help society.”

HAHA!!! Good one Pret!

Below post I wrote on 31. March 2020 after being informed by a Pret staff about Pret wanting some staff to work in kitchens again DURING furlough under pretense of giving freebies to NHS and homeless people. In reality, apart from the typical PR stunt, Pret wants staff to be in place once the Government lifts the ban of closed businesses. And after first trying to cut hours/pay of all staff WHILE giving freebies in March, Pret now becomes “generous” to some staff.

UPDATE: 17. April 2020 on Instagram, Twitter and I’m sure on other social media channels. Critical voices about Pret opening 10 shops:

Link

Link to critical post

Link to carleighsylvertiger’s post

Link to natalie_shilling’s post

Link

Link to Jeck.Disney’s post

Link to Tweets

Link

etc. etc. etc.

31. March 2020 post:

Pret is sneaking into the kitchen and being caught with the hand in the cookie jar!

Let me translate the bullshit that Pret is doing now while Boris Johnson is in quarantine (having shaken hands with corona-virus patients!)

UPFRONT:
Apart from the typical Pret A Manger PR, using NHS staff and now homeless people by wanting staff to work in Pret kitchens doing sandwiches for NHS & homeless people, Pret is VERY cheeky by wanting staff in place NOW during furlough, so when the government gives the green light for businesses to open again, Pret has already staff in place to get back to business FAST!

And after having tried to cut hours/pay by 25% DURING the first NHS freebies while the Covid-19 pandemic is in full swing, Pret NOW shows how “generous” they can be, selling this as “doing the right thing” while in reality putting their staff – who may be infected – in danger yet again! (My PLEA to NHS staff → LINK)

To Clive Schlee and Pano Christou,

how about YOU coming down from your arrogant, snobby, spoiled little hill, and do a “Buddy Day” for at least a week to fulfill the below “suggestions” from your Clare.

Part of the “Daily Pret” info from Pret HQ to staff on 30th March 2020:

My comments are in Italics below as a former Pret A Manger employee knowing this company’s bullshit inside out!

Page 1 of 4 – from Clare who earned her UK Managing Director position after being willing to be scrutinized by the press for Clive Schlee and then UK Managing Director, Pano Christou having ignored labelling warnings. ← Do click on these blue underlined links because they’re worth it!

Here she is, Clare, on behalf of dwarfs Clive and Pano, quote:

I hope you have all been keeping safe and well since I last wrote to you.
(since YOU last wrote?)

Since we closed our shops’ doors last Saturday,
(after being forced via Government orders)

I have been very proud of the work that teams all across Pret have done to continue to support those in need.
(while you use the NHS to cover up for not caring for your own workers’ needs…)

We made multiple donations of excess food and ingredients
(multiple self-idolizing and self-promotion)

to charities and over 2000 cases of smoothies and snacks to NHS staff working at over 25 different hospitals.
(yawn… the numbers… let’s talk numbers:
Pret turnover 2019 = £710 Million
Clive Schlee bonus 2018 = £30 Million
JAB Holdings / Reimann worth £28 Billion
Pret frontline staff £8.65 an hour
Any more numbers, Clive Schlee and Pano Christou?!)

In recent days, we have started to think about how we might become part of the growing efforts to help the NHS frontline staff further whilst our shops remain closed.
(In recent days – since being exposed by the Guardian via expret.org and my people the front-line Pret staff, we have started to think about how we might become part of the growing worry to keep our staff calm and away from the Unions and the press.)

We have been contacted by individuals as well as by NHS leaders and the project team for NHS Nightingale.
(aw! cute! Social Media is something else, isn’t it?)

Today, we have started work planning to open a small number of kitchens from the 6th April.
(have you now?)

These kitchens will start by producing a small range of products for delivery to NHS hospitals or staff quarters as well as enabling us to restart product donations to the homeless through our Pret Foundation charity partners.
(That’s a mouthful! [and this sounds like an addict to greed – listen up!]

Let’s take this apart:

“kitchens will start by producing” – in need labour
“delivery to NHS hospitals” – in need of business in the future
“restart product donations to the homeless through our Pret Foundation charity partners” – “restart” … in need of reputation

Once open,
(once open! There you go!)

we will be able to think about extending the number of kitchens and products
(we will be able to sneak more shops in while the Government has announced closures and Boris Johnson has tested positive for Covid-19 – positive = meaning he has the virus y’all … or did he just call sick!).

and start working with 3rd party delivery partners to get Pret food to more people who need it.
(Yeah right 😀 Good one!)

I am writing today to ask whether there are any members of our Pret family who would like to volunteer to return to a shop kitchen from the end of this week in order to support this effort.
( 😀 !!! I am writing to ask Clive Schlee and Pano Christou to do a “Buddy Day” to fulfill Clare’s request. Kindly. Please. Unless you are hiking the Austrian mountains in the snow!)

If you would like to volunteer, please email us at volunteers@pret.com by midday on Wednesday 1st April so we can get a sense of numbers.

(Yeah, I might email you on April Fool’s Day!)

Once we have identified volunteers, we will be in contact as soon as possible to confirm.
(You do that, but I have to inform you that your workforce … uhm … volunteers are busy signing up for the Unions)

It goes without saying that the safety of our people remains paramount and I want to let potential volunteers know that we will be implementing new standards in our shops to support social distancing. The first day back in a shop will involve training on these new safety standards.
(Oh Clare, please do try harder than this!)

Thank you in advance to those of you that will volunteer. I hope that by exploring this initiative we can play our part in continuing to support society, something we have always taken pride in.
(Yeah! 😀 )

With love,
(Big word, Pret, big word!)

Clare
(with sh!t in their pants)

To Clive Schlee and Pano Christou,

how about YOU coming down from your arrogant, snobby, spoiled home, and do a “Buddy Day” for a week to fulfill the above appeal?

JavaScript required to view slideshow. May not work on mobile devices without Wifi.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Slideshow can be paused

The above slideshow is just a selection, the list goes on in → Pret Staff Complaints.
And extensive accounts of Pret’s systemic bullying behind the facade, also witnessed by customers: Caught in the Act at Pret.

I worked at Pret A Manger and survived systemic workplace bullying during bereavement that involved HR, the top leadership, HQ and even the now “retired” former CEO Clive Schlee. I declined 4 settlement offers if I am silent about my ordeal. But I rather starve and speak out to help others. For an overview of important blog entries of my experience with Pret, please visit “My Ordeal with Pret A Manger”. The little arrow to the right next to each heading will lead directly to the post.
An incomplete list on what other Pret staff say about Pret’s bullying environment: Caught in the Act Bullying at Pret.
I tell my story for the first time verbally in below audio player interview on a podcast by The Adam Paradox, and wrote two articles in the Scottish Left Review.
Thank you for reading/listening.

Interview:

Unless otherwise stated or linked to, this website and all writings within this site are the property of expret.org, poetrasblok.com, LateNightGirl.org and are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Reproduction and distribution of my writings without written permission is prohibited.
©2017 – Present: expret.org, poetrasblok.com, LateNightGirl.org unless otherwise stated. All Rights reserved. Disclaimer.

Pret A Manger Pay-cut (NOT!)

March 30, 2020March 30, 2020 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

On 19.03.2020 in the morning I was contacted by a Pret employee that Pret wanted to cut all staff hours 25%, down to 16 hours. I was sent the email that Pano Christou sent to all shops and HQ (75B) that morning.

Some numbers:

A front-line shop staff member gets a little over minimum wage of £8.65 per hour

+£1 bonus IF the Mystery Shopper is happy (I posted a FULL Mystery Shopper report with the 32 micromanaging questions that Pret tasks Mystery Shoppers to test each shop on every week. If ONE staff member makes a mistake or doesn’t smile enough, the WHOLE shop team is penalized and don’t get the bonus!).

Even if a a staff member receives £8.65 they have to work double and triple for it. Pret has NO choice to pay a little more than minimum wage and give a few perks, as no-one would work at Pret for the backbreaking, micromanaging and stressful work they’re expected to do, often in a bullying environment.

Pret’s turnover on 2019: £710 million

Former CEO Clive Schlee’s BONUS from the JAB Holdings / Reimann purchase in 2018: £30 million

Second richest family in Germany, Reimann via tax-haven Luxembourg JAB Holdings worth €33 BILLION (£28 / $35 billion).

Do the math of £8.65 minus 25% minus hours.

I immediately wrote blog posts and went on Twitter.

The Guardian and other press started publishing and slowly customers and readers started to speak out against Pret’s decision.

What was so vile about this is that Pret started giving free coffees and 50% rebates on food to all NHS staff the day before on 18.03.2020. Pret made a big announcement, did press releases and sent emails to shops boasting about their “charity”.

This typical Pret PR and smokescreen had many speechless and angry.

A day later, after bad press and public outcry Pret reversed the pay-cut until May when they review this again.

This NHS employee is MY NHS hero / heroine!

Link

etc. etc. etc.

What Pret staff say for years:

On 27.03.2020, CEO Pano Christou was interviewed by the Evening Standard and even lied to the Standard, quote: “Last week Christou said immediately that he will pay his staff 100% of their salaries at least until the end of April.”

Immediately? You mean “immediately” after the public outcry and bad press about the 25% cut, huh?!

First email from Pano Christou on 19.03.2020 announcing the pay-cut. I was asked by the Pret staff who sent this email to me as screenshots to not publish the screenshot but write a transcript. The second letter of the pay-cut reversal is as a screenshot, sent by another staff member.

Recap of numbers again:

Front-line Pret staff:
£8.65 p/h (+£1 bonus not guaranteed – no bonus when on holiday/furlough and sick).
This is UNDER £15.000 a year! Subtract 25% AND subtract hours, announced DURING the Coronavirus pandemic AND NHS freebies!

Pret’s turnover 2019:
£710 million

Former CEO Clive Schlee’s BONUS (not to mention Pano Christou & share holders …)
£30 million

Reimann / JAB Holdings
€33 BILLION (£28 / $35 billion)

Pano Christou pay-cut email 19.03.2020:

Dear 75B and UK Shops

In moments of crisis we are challenged on our values and it is important we continue to support each other. People are at the heart of Pret. That’s why our biggest priority as we navigate the impact of Coronavirus is to protect our people. Pret is a wonderful company because it is full of amazingly talented, passionate, kind and generous people. I call it my second home after spending 20 years of my life with such wonderful people who have helped to shape me as a leader, father and a human being.

There are many people losing their jobs from other companies, especially in our sector. Our aim is not lose anyone, because we believe that we are all in this together.

Unfortunately we cannot ignore the fact that our sales in the UK have dropped by 75% and we believe this will be our new reality for several weeks. Therefore we have to reduce our costs somehow.

We are prioritising cuts in all areas that don’t impact our people directly, however it’s vital we also address pay. This means we need to ask every single Pret employee to take a 25% reduction in their contracted hours (and therefore pay). I know this is a huge ask and it breaks my heart to have to get to this point. I know it will hit people hard, but if we can achieve this, we can avoid job losses at this time. The Global Leadership Team and Board will be taking bigger cuts

We anticipate that our current reduction in sales will continue for at least 3 months and therefore the reduction in hours and associated pay will need to cover this period. If sales improve before then or we receive any further assistance from the government, nothing would make me happier than to be able to reverse this decision more quickly. I will keep you informed.

It goes without saying that if anyone would like to reduce their hours even further (perhaps for personal reasons) or take any period of unpaid absence or sabbatical (even if they haven’t been as Pret for long) then please let the HR team know.

It is important that every single Manager speaks to every single member of their team by Friday 12 noon (20^th March) to explain this. There will be lots of questions and following this note the HR team will be sending a list of actions that need to be taken, a letter that needs to be given to every person, and answers to the questions you and your teams may have.

To help our Pret people at this difficult time, we are setting up a Coronavirus Hardship Fund. More details to follow early next week. If any employee needs assistance due to the reduction in their hours then they must ask us for help and we will do all we can to support.

I am fully aware of the impact this change has on us all and I thank you for your understanding.

Take care of yourself and each other.

Pano

After public pressure and bad press:

Second letter of the decision to reverse pay-cut until May:

To all Pret employees:

JOIN A UNION!

And know that even ONE voice / blog / Tweet / email … COUNTS!

Even if things improve or you leave Pret, join a Union! When you stay, Pret will find ways AGAIN to try and cut hours!

These two Unions are very active and the best informed on Pret issues:

iwgb.org.uk
Twitter: @IWGBunion

www.bfawu.org (must include www.)
Twitter: @bfawu1

JavaScript required to view slideshow. May not work on mobile devices without Wifi.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Slideshow can be paused

Interview:

To NHS Employees

March 26, 2020December 20, 2021 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

Below post I wrote on 26. March 2020 after being informed by a Pret staff about Pret wanting to cut staff hours/pay DURING NHS freebie give-aways! On 31. March 2020 I was informed again by a Pret staff that Pret wants some staff to work in kitchens again DURING furlough under pretense again of giving freebies to NHS and homeless people. In reality, apart from the typical PR stunt, Pret wants staff to be in place once the Government lifts the ban of closed businesses.

UPDATE: 17. April 2020 on Instagram and Twitter critical voices about Pret opening 10 shops:

Link

Link to critical post

Link to carleighsylvertiger’s post

Link to natalie_shilling’s post

Link

Link to Jeck.Disney’s post

Link to Tweets

Link

etc. etc. etc.

UPDATE 16. April 2020

NEW Manager review on the pay and Covid-19 handling:

Link

26. March 2020 post:

Dear NHS Employees,

above screenshot from @hannahwebs is the ONLY NHS employee outcry I have seen on Social Media! Other people raise their voices regarding the freebies PR for the NHS while Pret tried to cut staff pay and hours! But Hannah is the only NHS worker who spoke out! It is devastating that most only care about their freebies, but not for low-paid Pret staff! My plea to NHS employees at the bottom of this page.

Below is the email by Pano Christou, CEO of Pret A Manger who announced the 25% pay-cut for all employees and 16 hour contracts for front-line staff.

I was sent his email early morning on 19.03.2020 when he sent the email to all shops and HQ. I immediately wrote a blog entry and went on Twitter. Next day after a public outcry and bad press, Pret reversed the decision and announced to go back to 100% pay … BUT said that “we need to continually review our position”:

As a little reminder or introduction for new readers, Pret that was a multi-million pound company until 2018 was sold to the second richest family of Germany Reimann under tax-haven Luxembourg based firm JAB Holdings.

Pret now is a multi-BILLION pound company. The Reimann family are worth €33 BILLION, but Pret decided to steal from low-wage workers to keep stuffing Billionaires.

Some concerned people responded on social media, including a NHS staff’s disgust at Pret’s PR stunt of giving NHS staff freebies and at the same time cutting own staff pay and hours.

19. March 2020 Twitter DM from one of several Pret staff:

This NHS employee is MY NHS hero / heroine!

Link

etc. etc. etc.

What Pret staff say for years:

I was sent a message on 19.03.2020 early morning from a Pret employee about Pret cutting 25% of pay to all staff. Another Pret worker sent me the email that CEO Pano Christou sent to all UK shops and HQ.

I was asked to not post the screenshot of the email but to write a transcript.

In the midst of giving freebies and 50% rebates to NHS workers and cranking up the PR machine again, Pret cuts 25% pay and hours of their low paid staff. Most now work 16 hours per week and get 25% cut on top of it, and are pressured to take holidays and unpaid leave. Do the math of £8.65 per hour how much they get at the end of the week!

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the PR[et] Machine!

I also wrote a blog entry today: “Pret A Clowns” addressing Pano Christou and Clive Schlee as they read my blog. No more sweet-talk!

FULL Pano Christou’s email from early morning 19.03.2020 regarding pay and hour cuts the day after NHS freebie & rebate announcements! NHS workers & customers were distracted with the freebie smokescreen! But staff sent me the CEO’s email early morning & I passed it on to the press ans social media.
Note: 75B is Pret’s HQ address in London, Victoria 75B Bressden Place.

The email:

Dear 75B and UK Shops

There are many people losing their jobs from other companies, especially in our sector. Our aim is not lose anyone, because we believe that we are all in this together.

Unfortunately we cannot ignore the fact that our sales in the UK have dropped by 75% and we believe this will be our new reality for several weeks. Therefore we have to reduce our costs somehow.

It is important that every single Manager speaks to every single member of their team by Friday 12 noon (20^th March) to explain this. There will be lots of questions and following this note the HR team will be sending a list of actions that need to be taken, a letter that needs to be given to every person, and answers to the questions you and your teams may have.

I am fully aware of the impact this change has on us all and I thank you for your understanding.

Take care of yourself and each other.

Pano

I don’t want to comment too much as I have been writing and tweeting all day on this. But a few things.

Pano writes, quote: “if we can achieve this, we can avoid job losses at this time”.

First of all, how about stopping to give freebies to NHS workers and stop the PR, and take care of your own workers! I am all for supporting medical staff, service persons etc. but at THIS time where the virus is spreading and staff don’t know how to survive, Pret cranks up the PR machine again and low-wage workers are paying for it!

And about the job losses, this is the typical Pret manipulation to scare workers into pay-cuts. Pret needs staff more than they want to admit. If Pret was to fire workers and business comes back up again, they would have to employ masses of people and train them fast. Cutting pay and cutting hours, keeping workers will have Pret back on its feet in no time.

Pano: “The Global Leadership Team and Board will be taking bigger cuts.”

The Global Leadership Team and Board earn 5 and 6-digit figures #FFS!!! I expect them to make HUGE cuts and keep the workforce at their pay level at the LEAST!

Link to Daily Mail

CEO Dan Price has cut his salary for his workers and his company Gravity Pay is thriving ever since! In 2015 Dan cut his $1.1 million annual pay down to $70K to raise the minimum wage for ALL his staff to $70K. And now his company is pulling together without him having to beg! He will leave a solid legacy behind, built on foundations of truth, integrity and life-changing actions. Dan said he has never regretted it and is happier than ever before. He has a healthy and thriving work environment and many CEOs are following his example! He will not be remembered for the sweet-talk that brings no change for the better and for which Pret is so known for within its own workforce.

Nothing more to say except, shame on Pret for squeezing their low-paid employees even more now, while pretending to sacrifice so much on top levels. Whatever cuts the top management makes on their own pay, they still have millions in the bank! And giving freebies to NHS workers at the same time is a smokescreen, while staff don’t know how to pay the rent! Absolute shame! Pret did the same recently with making plant-based milks free, and then raising the coffee prices at the same time. People always pay, one way or another!

Again, NHS workers DESERVE every bit of a break and support and love we can give them, absolutely! But Pret disregards their own yet again for the sake of PR and to polish up their cracked public image! Shame!

After public pressure and bad press Pret reversed the pay cut back to 100% pay and full 35 hour contracted hours, except for those who already signed a new 16 hour contract! But the reversion will be reviewed on an “ongoing basis” after April!

Quote from Pret:

“We will always put our people first and maintain as many hours and as much pay we can afford”. – Pret A Manger under Pano Christou (and Clive Schlee) under JAB Holdings / Reimann worth €33 Billion. “As much as we can afford”.

“We always put our people first”.

Really?

PR stunt giving NHS staff freebies
While cutting Pret staff PAY of 25% & hours down to 16 hours
Putting measures in place for customers 2B safe
NO care for staff in close proximity to each other

My plea to NHS employees

Apart from your joy of getting free coffees, 50% off food and food donations, praising Pret as an ethical company: why don’t you stand up for low-wage Pret employees who pay the price for Pret’s marketing, while top executives earn millions and JAB Holdings sit on billions!

Don’t let Hannah be the only NHS staff to have spoken out after NHS workers received freebies. 50% rebates and food donations!

Pret will try to cut pay and hours again, even when business is back to normal. I know Pret, they use any-and everything to avoid paying staff. Two class-action suits have been settled in New York when Pret had to repay 4000 workers!

Link

To all Pret employees:

JOIN A UNION!

These two Unions are very active and the best informed on Pret issues:

iwgb.org.uk
Twitter: @IWGBunion

www.bfawu.org
Twitter: @bfawu1

JavaScript required to view slideshow. May not work on mobile devices without Wifi.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Slideshow can be paused

DONATIONS

I fully fund my blog and choose not to use ads

If you would like to donate, it would be appreciated. Thank you!

£10.00

Interview:

Unless otherwise stated or linked to, this website and all writings within this site are the property of expret.org and are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Reproduction and distribution of my writings without written permission is prohibited.
©2017 – Present: expret.org unless otherwise stated. All Rights reserved. Disclaimer.

Pret A Manger bows to Public Pressure & the Press

March 24, 2020November 17, 2022 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

Quote:

“We always put our people first”.

Really?

Social distancing arranged for customers vs. NO social distancing and no masks for staff.

PR stunt giving NHS staff freebies and as a smokescreen to hide cuts
While cutting Pret staff PAY & Hours the very next day (low wage frontline shop workers basically paid for the NHS freebies, Pret took from staff to give to the NHS as a PR stunt)
Putting measures in place for customers to be safe
NO care for staff in close proximity to each other

Below is the email by Pano Christou, CEO of Pret A Manger who announced the 25% pay-cut for all employees and 16 hour contracts for front-line staff.

I was sent his email early morning and immediately wrote a blog entry and went on Twitter. Next day after a public outcry and bad press, Pret reversed and announced to go back to 100% pay … BUT … “we need to continually review our position”:

As a little reminder or introduction for new readers, Pret that was a multi-million pound company until 2018 was sold to the second richest family of Germany, Reimann under tax haven Luxembourg based firm JAB Holdings.

Pret now is a multiBILLION pound company. The Reimann family are worth €33 BILLION, but Pret decided to steal from low-wage workers to keep stuffing Billionaires.

Some concerned people including a NHS staff disgust at Pret’s PR stunt of giving NHS staff freebies and at the same time cutting own staff pay and hours.

Below email from Pano Christou.

I was sent a message on 18.03.2020 from a Pret employee about Pret cutting 25% of pay to all staff. Another Pret worker sent me the email that CEO Pano Christou sent to all UK shops and HQ this morning (19.03.2020).

I was asked to not post the screenshot of the email but to write a transcript.

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the PR[et] Machine!

I also wrote a blog entry today: “Pret A Clowns” addressing Pano Christou and Clive Schlee as they read my blog. No more sweet-talk!

Pano Christou’s email from 18.03.2020 early morning:

Dear 75B and UK Shops

There are many people losing their jobs from other companies, especially in our sector. Our aim is not lose anyone, because we believe that we are all in this together.

Unfortunately we cannot ignore the fact that our sales in the UK have dropped by 75% and we believe this will be our new reality for several weeks. Therefore we have to reduce our costs somehow.

I am fully aware of the impact this change has on us all and I thank you for your understanding.

Take care of yourself and each other.

Pano

I don’t want to comment too much as I have been writing and tweeting all day on this. But a few things.

Pano writes, quote: “if we can achieve this, we can avoid job losses at this time”.

Pano: “The Global Leadership Team and Board will be taking bigger cuts.”

The Global Leadership Team and Board earn 5 and 6-digit figures #FFS!!! I expect them to make HUGE cuts and keep the workforce at their pay level at the LEAST!

Link to Daily Mail

CEO Dan Price has cut his salary for his workers and his company Gravity Pay is thriving ever since! In 2015 Dan cut his $1.1 million annual pay down to $70K to raise the minimum wage for ALL his staff to $70K. And now his company is pulling together without him having to beg! He will leave a solid legacy behind, built on foundations of truth, integrity and life-changing actions. Dan said he has never regretted it and is happier than ever before. He has a healthy and thriving work environment and many CEOs are following his example! He will not be remembered for the sweet-talk that brings no change for the better and for which Pret is so known for within its own workforce.

To all Pret employees:

JOIN A UNION!

These two Unions are very active and the best informed on Pret issues:

iwgb.org.uk
Twitter: @IWGBunion

www.bfawu.org
Twitter: @bfawu1

JavaScript required to view slideshow. May not work on mobile devices without Wifi.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Slideshow can be paused

Interview:

Cases of Social Media Misconduct – #PretAManger

March 24, 2020June 23, 2020 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

To all Pret staff,

cases of social media misconduct can be avoided by sending me any information that I can publish on my website and / or send to the press.

I you have any information for the public and the press, you can send it to me anonymously and I will publish. Pret will not know who sent it. 😉

Pret’s Furlough information to employees (incomplete)

To all Pret staff,

cases of social media misconduct can be avoided by sending me any information that I can publish on my website.

I you have any information for the public and the press, you can send it to me and I will publish.

Stay safe, stand up and join a Union:

IWGB – Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (helping foreign workers a lot)

BFAWU – Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union

JavaScript required to view slideshow. May not work on mobile devices without Wifi.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Slideshow can be paused

Interview:

Pret’s Covid-19 FUCK – sorry FAQs!

March 20, 2020March 20, 2020 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

The following is Pret A Manger’s “How to Card” on the Coronavirus and how they UN-pay their staff during quarantine.

The worker who sent this to me highlighted the pay issues, I added the underline.

I want to say thank you to the Pret employees who sent this and other information on.

I want to tell you that you are courageous, strong and wonderful people. I wish worked with you in my wasted time at Pret.

I’ve never met some of you, but I miss the likes of you!

Pret A Manger’s FUCK

Covid-19 FAQs

Who should respond to customer queries about Coronavirus?

Please refer all questions to the MOD. MODs can use this Q&A to answer any customer questions and if unsure of the correct answer, please refer the customer to our Customer Service team.

If you are contacted by a member of the press, then please refer them to press@pret.com

Will Pret be going ahead with any planned events?

We have taken advice and can confirm that May QB will not go ahead. Friday Night Drinks will be postponed until further notice. The Summer Party will also be postponed. We will continue to monitor the situation and update you all on events planned for later this year.

One of my team have just returned from Spain / Italy / China, should they self-isolate?

As per government advice, people should only self-isolate if they have been in close contact with someone confirmed to have Coronavirus (14 days), if they live in a household with someone who has symptoms or has symptoms themselves (14 days) or if they have any symptoms of Coronavirus themselves and live alone (7 days). If symptoms develop or worsen during that timeframe then they should call 111 to seek professional advice.

One of my team has travelled to another country and are now not able to get a flight back to the UK – what should I process this as?

This should be processed on Workday as unpaid authorized absence. However, if the Team Member would like to get paid for this time, they can borrow up to 5 days holiday from next years’ entitlement.

One of my team say they feel unsafe coming to work and they would like to self-isolate.

Self-isolation only needs to take place if the TM has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Coronavirus, or if they have any symptoms of Coronavirus themselves. Pret would not ask someone to work in an environment that we deemed unsafe and we are following all guidance to help prevent the spread of the virus. If a Team Member does not feel comfortable coming to work, then this should be processed as unpaid authorised absence.

One of my team is living with someone who is self-isolating – do they also need to self-isolate?

anyone who lives with others and they themselves or one of the household has symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill

anyone in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14 day isolation period.

One of my TMs has asthma, so always has a cough / difficulty breathing, do they need to self-isolate?

No, TMs will only need to self-isolate if they have developed a recent cough, temperature or difficultly breathing. If this is an on-going health problem they do not need to self-isolate.

When should a TM self-isolate and for how long?

If a TM lives alone, they must self-isolate for 7 days from the start of having symptoms.

If a TM lives with others, they must self-isolate for 14 days from the start of anyone in the household showing symptoms including themselves.

Why 14 days if you live with others? It is likely that people living within a household will infect each other or may already be infected. Staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.

Anyone who starts displaying symptoms while already being in the 14 days self-isolation period must stay at home for at least 7 days from the start of their own symptoms. E.g. if you were in the 12th day of self-isolation when your symptoms appeared, you will yourself need to self-isolate for 7 days from that date. Making your self-isolation a total of 19 days.

JavaScript required to view slideshow. May not work on mobile devices without Wifi.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Slideshow can be paused

Interview:

Pret A Manger Pay-cut – FULL CEO Email

March 19, 2020August 12, 2021 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

Las Vegas

It Analyst HQ Head Office Review

Go back Pret

I was sent a message this morning from a Pret employee about Pret cutting 25% of hours / pay to all staff. Another Pret worker then confirmed and sent me the email that CEO Pano Christou sent to all UK shops and HQ this morning (19.03.2020).

His email was sent to me as a screenshot. But I was asked to not post the screenshot of the email but to write a transcript.

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the PR[et] Machine!

I also wrote a blog entry today: “Pret A Clowns” addressing Pano Christou and Clive Schlee as they read my blog. No more sweet-talk!

Pano Christou’s “love letter” this morning:

Note: “75B” is Pret’s Head Office in Victoria 75B Bresseden Place.

Dear 75B and UK Shops

There are many people losing their jobs from other companies, especially in our sector. Our aim is not lose anyone, because we believe that we are all in this together.

Unfortunately we cannot ignore the fact that our sales in the UK have dropped by 75% and we believe this will be our new reality for several weeks. Therefore we have to reduce our costs somehow.

I am fully aware of the impact this change has on us all and I thank you for your understanding.

Take care of yourself and each other.

Pano

UPDATE 16. April 2020

NEW Manager review on the pay and Covid-19 handling:

2020-04-16 GM Covid-19 review marked - RVW32762114

Link

I don’t want to comment too much as I have been writing and tweeting all day on this. But a few things.

Pano writes, quote: “if we can achieve this, we can avoid job losses at this time”.

Pano: “The Global Leadership Team and Board will be taking bigger cuts.”

The Global Leadership Team and Board earn 5 and 6-digit figures #FFS!!! I expect them to make HUGE cuts and keep the workforce at their pay level at the LEAST!

Clive £30 million

Link to Daily Mail

To all Pret employees:

JOIN A UNION!

These two Unions are very active and the best informed on Pret issues:

www.bfawu.org

Twitter: @BFAWUofficial

iwgb.org.uk

Twitter: @IWGBunion

NOTE: If the slide show does not run automatically, please delete amp/ from above URL and reload in order to view.

May not work on mobile devices without Wifi.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Slideshow can be paused

Interview:

Pret A Clowns

March 19, 2020March 21, 2020 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

To Pano Christou & Clive Schlee,

Clive Schlee, I know you are not the CEO anymore, even though you still present yourself on Twitter as such. You are a non-executive director and I’m sure pretty active in the background. Thank you for your visit yesterday to my blog, I hope you found something useful to inspire REAL change, not just sweet-talk.

Pano Christou, as you have deleted your Twitter account on 01. July 2019 after I tweeted Clive’s retirement news to the press as you didn’t see the need to inform them yourself (you’re welcome!) I write yet again another blog post.

You have done your typical PR stunt yet again with much success of course. It is very commendable to give free coffees and 50% rebate on food to NHS workers. Everyone agrees, it’s very nice. And NHS staff, Fire Brigade, indeed all carers deserve every break they can get! But …

I tweeted yesterday already to NHS staff that Pret workers are paying for this “generosity” by being sent home unpaid due to low business, as I know how you work. And of course I got shadow banned (censored, Tweets hidden from public view and search).

And then you dropped a bombshell this morning in an email to the shops.

I now have messages coming in on various channels that you even go further in your generosity. This morning you emailed shops wanting all your staff to agree to take 25% pay cuts for up to 3 months or more, or to take unpaid leave.

You already want to force staff to take holidays above their current holiday allowance, and they will then lose their holidays for next year.

You promised your employees you will send DAILY communications to shops on developments in Pret during this terrible virus crisis. Yet, in your typical Pret-style of breaking promises, so far you’ve only sent 2 pieces of information to shops:

That cutlery now has to be moved behind the counter and regular sanitizing, hand-washing etc. (Of course you bowed to pressure from the public on this, whereas before you didn’t give a toss!)
Your typical self-idolizing PR stunt, sending press releases on freebies and 50% rebate for NHS workers. And Pret workers are speechless how they themselves are disregarded! One Pret staff called this your typical “PR machine”. Other staff are cursing you out, I can’t repeat here!

I wrote in my other blog post 2 days ago about your Vague Statement and non-specific sweet-talk on precautions during the Coronavirus pandemic. I wrote that Clive should cut his £30 million bonus and give to the workers, so they can pay their rent and not end up on the street and have tax payers pick up the bill!

A courageous act CEO Dan Price has done for his workers, and his company is thriving ever since! Dan Price cut his $1.1 million annual pay down to $70K to raise the minimum wage for ALL his staff to $70K. He will leave a solid legacy behind, built on foundations of truth, integrity and life-changing actions. Dan said he has never regretted it and is happier than ever before. He has healthy and thriving employees! He will not be remembered for the bullshit sweet-talk that brings no change for the better and for which Pret is so known for within its own workforce.

And you have the Pret Foundation Trust that helps homeless people, don’t you? But we former and current Pret staff know it’s mostly for PR! Where is your help, Pano?! Wanting staff to agree to a pay cut of 25% and go on forced holiday which they will then lose the following year? Really?

And if they refuse to take holidays they are bullied by managers and sent into the kitchen or do extra cleaning work. Yes, that does sound very Pret-like! And you sit on millions of pounds and your JAB bosses sit on billions.

You, Pano Chrsitou and all the shareholders could also cut your Million pound salaries and bonuses, to actually do the right thing “naturally”, as Pret always claimed. But you just send little emails about cutlery and your NHS PR stunt. And your low-wage workers are speechless and scared shit-less for their lives, jobs and homes!

“It’s what makes Pret, Pret”

Your staff who are sending these infos to me are disheartened and disgusted at your lack of care and your greed. And I am disgusted that you Pano even use your own child, to manipulate your employees to cut their own needs, so you can continue in your millionaire lifestyle and keep feeding your billionaire bosses Reimann / JAB Holdings!

You know what this reminds me of? Pret having used Lila Warren who supposedly had a brother who died alone in his apartment and wasn’t found for days, just like my brother! Lila then gaslighting and manipulating me until I got fired. If Lila’s story is true or not is not my concern anymore.

But for you Pano, to use your own child to gaslight and manipulate workers to take cuts is utterly perverse and disgusting! You write to shops that your child has asthma and is crying all day not wanting to go to school! Two years ago you emailed back a customer, who complained about the lack of labelling and their fear about allergens after the two customers died. You wrote to the customer that your child has food allergies, and that you know how it is!

I really hope your children have no illnesses and allergies, I even hope you are lying like you all did with Lila Warren. But to produce crocodile tears to make low-wage employees feel sorry for you, using your children’s health condition is utterly disgusting and disturbing! You should be more than ashamed of yourself, Pano! You should have the decency and backbone to not only refrain from using your children in any way to manipulate workers to feel bad, but you should pay them a living wage, protect their jobs, give up some of your own millions and get to work!

You “advise” staff to sign a 25% pay cut, and yet your Managers are pressuring, manipulating and gaslighting workers to sign. Pano, you said that all of you in management are also taking a pay cut, sorry, but you still have MILLIONS left even after a pay cut! You manipulate your staff by saying that other companies are firing people. You say that you don’t fire them but you gaslight them with this “generosity” of a 25% cut!

I have one sentence for Pret A Manger low-wage workers:
PRET NEEDS YOU MORE THAN YOU NEED THEM! WAKE UP!

And for Pret leadership, you should be ashamed as millionaires to “ask” low-wage staff via pressuring and manipulating Managers, to sign a 25% pay-cut and use next years holiday allowance for this year, while giving free coffees and 50% rebates to NHS staff whose job are secure and have FULL wages! You should be deeply and utterly ashamed Pano Christou, Clive Schlee, and the rest of you greedy share holders! And using freebies to NHS workers for your PR, and then letting low-wage staff foot the bill is beyond disgusting! You should be ashamed!

The only good thing about all this is, as your hard working people are even in deeper financial and existential despair now, more and more are joining unions, and they are coming for you! 🙂 ← That’s a real smile not even the Mystery Shopper could have gotten out of me!

JavaScript required to view slideshow. May not work on mobile devices without Wifi.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Slideshow can be paused

Interview:

Pret A Manger’s Vague Statement re: Coronavirus Precautions

March 18, 2020March 18, 2020 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

My response and question to Pret’s vague statement on social media:

Tweet from 17.03.2020

Fabebook blocks links to my blog and even to my Twitter account.

My questions to Pret on Facebook and Twitter, which won’t be answered, but Pret’s vague statement isn’t good enough.

Regarding Pret’s statement for safety in shops..

To Pret A Manger,

1. Mind #FreeSpeech when you think about reporting me to get censored, as I will post again & again. I will not be silenced if my post gets hidden!

2. What EXACTLY is #PretAManger doing, what SPECIFIC things will Pano put in place not only to protect customers, but staff who work without protection. What is Pano doing regarding financial loss to staff who are sent home due to low business?

Maybe Clive Schlee can give from his £30 Million bonus & Pano can cut his own Million £ bonus & actually do what Pret always boasts about by “doing the right thing naturally”!

Learn from @DanPriceSeattle who puts his money where his mouth is & is VERY specific.

Pret & Pano Christou, please stop giving vague sweet-talk & be specific as @RishiSunak has been very specific today with numbers & solid aid to businesses and people. Stop brainwashing staff to believe you are helping when in reality they suffer even more now!

Be SPECIFIC!!!

And respect #FreeSpeech

On Twitter

First customer complaints start coming in on Facebook.

Interview:

Versus Pret A Manger

March 14, 2020March 15, 2020 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

This is a man’s world.

Ready to eat?

#SpotStop

Interview:

Sticks & Stones – TV on WorkplaceBullying – #SpotStop

March 6, 2020November 23, 2020 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

In December 2019 ITV screened a 3-part miniseries on workplace bullying. This is THE best production I’ve ever seen on bullying in the workplace.

For anyone who wants to understand how subtle bullying is, how seemingly harmless it starts, how it escalates, how vicious it is, how it breaks down a person and how it damages, please watch this. All the actors portrayed their role amazingly! So, amazingly convincing it will affect you.

But if you have been bullied this may trigger you because it is so well done! It is very intense, but very important to understand, spot and stop workplace bullying.

3 x 45 minutes.

Part 1

Direct link to YouTube if player doesn’t play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob-KMdHnpBk

Part 2

Link to Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrSKOG7QdeA

Part 3

Link to YouTube Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLcQFL99NdA

Interview:

Definition and Signs of #WorkplaceBullying

March 4, 2020May 3, 2020 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

For Pret Employees

Bullying in Pret is masqueraded as productivity targets etc. It is widely accepted even from customers as a “normal” work environment. I counter this indifference, saying that before the #metoo movement started to kick butt, sexual harassment was widely accepted as norm. “It’s just men … that’s what they do…” etc.

No, it’s not! Since #metoo and others, now big names once powerful fall like flies (Cosby, Epstein, Weinstein etc.). I believe more than ever that victims and survivors of workplace bullying need a #metoo movement as the problem is epidemic as well since large companies push for profit at all costs! And it does cost! It costs money for survivors who lose their job and health. It costs the company. It costs the Government, health care system etc. etc. Systemic workplace bullying is expensive in the long-run. It’s a lose-lose situation apart from companies losing valuable employees, they also lose reputation in time when the scale of bullying comes to light.

Also, even Journalists accept harassment as part of the job. But they shouldn’t!

Link

Even more with low-wage workers in the fast-food industry and in Pret. They get used to it and even think it’s part of the job to be bullied, threatened etc. Many don’t even realize they’re being bullied as bullying is often subtle. The wider public think it’s normal at worst or nothing can be done at best. I was gaslit by Pret leadership, one OPs Manager in a grievance appeal’s hearing I raised against a bullying line manager asked me what my definition of bullying is. In shock I couldn’t respond fast enough to realize I was manipulated to think that I wasn’t bullied. I share my full story with Pret at the bottom audio player in an interview on a podcast.

Link to review.

I based a YouTube slide I made on this review calling it “Worked Into the Ground without Empathy” taken from above review.

Bullying during Bereavement

I’ve sent the “ACAS guide to Bereavement in the Workplace” to Pret’s HR and several OPs Managers to no avail. ACAS has deleted their PDF on this. It was a comprehensive guide for employers. I re-uploaded the 24 page guide again. But I highlight only bullying during bereavement from their guide. I know in hindsight that me “teaching” Pret wasn’t the best of ideas, but I was traumatised and crying out for help and change. My attempts to keep raising the issues were futile. So, I take Pret’s “advise” from their “Pret Values and Behaviours”, one of which says for employees to “never give up”, and I keep raising the issue of workplace bullying outside of Pret publicly after internal efforts failed.

I write about it here: ACAS Guide to Bereavment at Work as well as in the interview.

A few quotes from the guide which I also used in my grievance hearings (to no avail).

Pages 12 & 13 (I added the colour highlights):

»Avoiding discrimination and addressing bullying

Employers should ensure their employees who are likely to be affected by the disability are able to recognise it, especially when performance or absence of a bereaved employee becomes unacceptable over the longer term for no other apparent reason.«

»Addressing Bullying

Bullying is defined as unwanted behaviour or conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual. If the bullying is related to a protected characteristic then it is harassment.

Managing bereavement in the workplace

Employers should be alert to inappropriate behaviour following bereavement. Absence through bereavement can place burdens on co-workers and line managers alike who may pressurise (inadvertently or otherwise) or bully a bereaved employee into returning to work or performing their duties to the same level as they did before the death. The intentions of the bully do not matter – what is important is the impact that the behaviour has on the employee who is being bullied.

The PDF then gives examples.

Bullying in its variety of forms:

Definition of bullying

(Entry 1 of 2)

: abuse and mistreatment of someone vulnerable by someone stronger, more powerful, etc. : the actions and behavior of a bully. Merriam Webster

They changed the dictionary entry from “weaker” to “vulnerable” after a campaign by anti-bullying organisations, because a victim of bullying is not a “weak” person, but vulnerable like in my case, I was bereaved, in shock and trauma. That made me vulnerable, but not a weak person. In fact I was much stronger than the bullies if you think about it as I held out under INTENSE circumstances by a group of professionals including HR, HQ and former CEO Clive Schlee! Schlee labelled me his “late night girl” after I became ill with the emailing, I explain in below audio player. I am still recovering and have not dealt with the aftermath well myself. But I own up to it!

Quote: »A group of dictionary publishers have agreed to change the way that they define bullying after a campaign accused them of presenting perpetrators as strong and their targets as weak.« The Times

The saying, “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger” is true!

Signs of bullying at work

From: How to Identify and Manage Workplace Bullying

A few examples of bullying include:

targeted practical jokes
being purposely misled about work duties, like incorrect deadlines or unclear directions
continued denial of requests for time off without an appropriate or valid reason
threats, humiliation, and other verbal abuse
excessive performance monitoring
overly harsh or unjust criticism

Bullying behaviors might be:

Verbal. This could include mockery, humiliation, jokes, gossip, or other spoken abuse.
Intimidating. This might include threats, social exclusion in the workplace, spying, or other invasions of privacy.
Related to work performance. Examples include wrongful blame, work sabotage or interference, or stealing or taking credit for ideas.
Retaliatory. In some cases, talking about the bullying can lead to accusations of lying, further exclusion, refused promotions, or other retaliation.
Institutional. Institutional bullying happens when a workplace accepts, allows, and even encourages bullying to take place. This bullying might include unrealistic production goals, forced overtime, or singling out those who can’t keep up.

NOTE: Institutional or what I call systemic bullying, is exactly what I experienced at Pret, which then went all the way up to the top leadership of Pret. I kept raising the issue of bullying that they passed me on to higher and higher Managers as well as me contacting the CEO, not knowing that it is systemic. I explain in detail in the audio player at the bottom of this page.

Early warning signs of bullying can vary:

Co-workers might become quiet or leave the room when you walk in, or they might simply ignore you.
You might be left out of office culture, such as chitchat, parties, or team lunches.
Your supervisor or manager might check on you often or ask you to meet multiple times a week without a clear reason.
You may be asked to do new tasks or tasks outside your typical duties without training or help, even when you request it.
It may seem like your work is frequently monitored, to the point where you begin to doubt yourself and have difficulty with your regular tasks.
You might be asked to do difficult or seemingly pointless tasks and be ridiculed or criticized when you can’t get them done.
You may notice a pattern of your documents, files, other work-related items, or personal belongings going missing.

To keep it short, please watch this video on workplace bullying, it is THE best “tutorial” on the variety of workplace bullying, how to spot it, what helps and what doesn’t. Very insightful. If you don’t read or watch anything I publish, please take 12 minutes and watch this, it sums it up perfectly!

In hindsight, in a nutshell, the following text that I found on Twitter sums up my own experience. As I was in grief and trauma, I unintentionally poked into the hornets’ nest and into the heart of Pret. I went exactly through the following, by the book:

Link

Thank you for reading/watching. Please stand up against systemic bullying, no matter if in the playground, schools, workplaces, even at home or in the neighbourhood. Seek help for yourself and others. Support others. Don’t be silent! Don’t be a bystander or onlooker! Don’t be afraid! If the #metoo movement can do it in relation to sexual violence and harassment against even powerful people and groups, workplace bullying survivors can do the same! I am one example! And I won’t give up!

»Worked into the Ground without Empathy @ Pret A Manger«

I worked at Pret A Manger and survived systemic workplace bullying during bereavement that involved HR, the top leadership, HQ and even the now “retired” former CEO Clive Schlee. I declined 4 settlement offers if I am silent about my ordeal. But I rather starve and speak out to help others. For an overview of important blog entries of my experience with Pret, please visit “My Ordeal with Pret A Manger”. The little arrow to the right next to each heading will lead directly to the post.
I tell my story for the first time verbally in below audio player interview on a podcast by The Adam Paradox, and wrote two articles in the Scottish Left Review.
Thank you for reading/listening.

Interview:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Covid-19 FAQs

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Definition of bullying

Share this:

Like this: