Primark staff threatened with the sack after refusing to work in huge shop with no heating where temperature was just 1C
FREEZING Primark staff refused to work in a huge shop with no heating yesterday when the temperature fell to 1C.
But the shivering workers were threatened with the sack if they refused to open the tills.
They were called to a 9am crisis meeting by an area manager who told them the shop would open — with workers, including those in the canteen, being rotated between departments every 15 minutes to try to keep them warm.
Three workers at the branch in Staines, Surrey, still went home — and were warned they would be dealt with.
Those workers who did brave the shop floor were wrapped up in gloves, body-warmers and scarves.
One source said: “But it was bitterly cold and no one was in a fit state. People were genuinely upset and huddled together to keep warm. It was an inhumane way to treat staff.”
READ MORE ON THE BIG FREEZE
The Health and Safety Executive says workplace temperatures should be at least 16C — or 13C if staff are involved in rigorous physical activity. A household fridge typically runs at 4C.
But after the temperature dropped to -7C in Staines overnight, workers arrived at the Primark outlet in the Elmsleigh Shopping Centre to find the only heating was an air curtain at the entrance.
Bosses later found one portable heater, which was blowing hot air around the first floor of the 36,800sq ft retail unit.
The shop, employing about 30 staff, also has an 8,500sq ft area not open to the public which had no heating at all.
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Fitting rooms were compared to standing in a freezer, while workers claimed they were putting damp clothes on racks.
Some staff with medical problems were frantic about the icy conditions harming their health.
Our source said: “Staff were threatened with the sack if they didn’t carry on as normal. Three workers went home anyway because they were worried about their health and decided they’d risk getting the chop. Those that braved the store wore coats, hats and scarves.
“Customers complained about the cold all morning. It took your breath away.”
Panicked bosses removed digital in-store thermometers and placed them in the manager’s office. Engineers later arrived to try to resolve the problem.
The Sun witnessed one worker shivering as she came down an escalator while another wore a scarf and gloves behind the till and a security guard wrapped up in a thick coat and scarf. Eventually, more portable heaters were hired and were placed around the store.
By late afternoon, they helped boost the temperature to about 15C — still below the suggested recommended room temperature of 18C to 20C.
One shopper told The Sun: “I had to leave Primark as it was getting pretty chilly. I couldn’t look around properly.
“Some of the staff were standing around looking frozen solid. It’s not fair for them to be working in these conditions.”
Primark insisted no one would be sacked for refusing to work.
A spokesman told The Sun: “We take the wellbeing of our colleagues very seriously and have already taken action to correct this issue, including bringing in portable heaters, ensuring extra layers are worn by colleagues and rotating our team members across the shop floor.
“We appreciate the understanding from our colleagues and customers while we work to find a solution.” It came as the big chill raged on with temperatures plummeting to -13.4C on Wednesday night — just shy of the -14C record set 24 hours earlier.
Amber warnings for snow and yellow alerts for ice were in place across much of the country. The northern half of Britain was worst affected and more than 15in of snow fell in parts of Scotland.
Joggers and cars braved the snow in Bridlington, East Yorks, a shopper was seen using a sled for their groceries in Whitby, and skaters took to the frozen fens in Upware, Cambs.
But Met Office forecasters said they were growing increasingly concerned about stormy weather this weekend.
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The temperature will climb to a well- above-normal 13C on Sunday — but heavy rain and 70mph winds will sweep in.
The storm, potentially named Isha, and melting snow are raising flooding fears.
