A Robert Gordon University student has secured more than £11,000 in compensation following an employment tribunal ruling that he was wrongfully dismissed for raising food safety concerns at his workplace.
David Low, who held positions at a Pizza Hut takeaway outlet on King Street in Aberdeen operated by Ultra Catering Ltd, was awarded £11,270.14 after the tribunal determined his dismissal constituted unfair treatment of a whistleblower.
The student had progressed through the ranks during his employment, advancing from shift manager to assistant store manager before his relationship with the franchise company deteriorated over hygiene standards at the establishment.
Mr Low’s apprehensions about the branch’s operations intensified after he completed food safety training connected to his promotion.
He grew increasingly troubled by what he observed, particularly the practice of recording inaccurate temperature data for raw products through an app called Hut Bot rather than taking actual readings.
The tribunal heard new employees were joining the store without receiving proper instruction, leaving Mr Low feeling unsupported by management.
His requests for adequate staff training fell on deaf ears.
David Low held positions at the Pizza Hut takeaway outlet on King Street in Aberdeen
|
GOOGLE MAPS
The student himself became ill after consuming food from the branch, an incident he attributed to food poisoning.
He subsequently cautioned his superiors that the premises would fail any hygiene inspection unless conditions improved substantially.
In May 2024, following his numerous complaints to the company, Mr Low received notification that his wages would be reduced and his position downgraded to an in-store role.
The franchise accused him of lodging malicious complaints with Pizza Hut and of committing sabotage against the business.
Pizza Hut noted that the Aberdeen restaurant was operated by an independent franchisee responsible for day-to-day management and employment matters
|
GETTYManagement then instructed him to relocate to a branch in Dunfermline, Fife, despite being fully aware that such a transfer was impractical given that Mr Low resided and studied in Aberdeen.
After this reassignment, the company ceased offering him any shifts whatsoever. Mr Low interpreted this sequence of events as an effective dismissal from his position.
Employment judge James Hendry ruled decisively in the student’s favour, finding that the franchise company had unlawfully terminated his employment for making protected disclosures.
“The claim succeeds and the tribunal finds that the claimant was unfairly dismissed from his employment with the respondent company for making protected disclosures,” the judge stated in his written ruling.
Pizza Hut sought to distance itself from the matter, noting that the Aberdeen restaurant was operated by an independent franchisee responsible for day-to-day management and employment matters.
A spokesman for the chain stated that Pizza Hut requires all franchisees to comply with applicable employment legislation and noted the tribunal’s outcome.
