Staff at Italian Grill in Dundee claim they only found out about the restaurant’s closure on social media – with just a few days’ notice.
The City Square venue has closed, as bosses carry out a refurb.
They have vowed to return following a rebranding in about four to six weeks.
But according to some employees, supervisors were informed of the plan just hours before it was announced on social media.
It is claimed they were told to spread the news to other staff members, but many still found out via Facebook or Instagram.
Employees ‘gutted’ by lack of notice
One employee, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I’m gutted. We’ve all got bills to pay, we’ve all got obligations.
“Some staff had been working there since the place opened.
“I’m just offended and let down.”
Owner Jonathan Horne insists that staff who are on zero-hours contracts were given a week’s notice that no hours would be available in the coming weeks due to the refurbishment.
He says he accepts that some will decide to look for employment elsewhere due to the lack of income.
But he says no employees have been let go and hopes they will be available to work again once the restaurant is back open.
He told The Courier: “I have invited staff to a further meeting if they are available, to try and make things a bit clearer.
“It does seem that there has been some sort of misunderstanding of the situation.
No one has lost their job and we hope to renovate, refurbish, rebrand and reopen as quickly as possible
Owner Jonathan Horne
“No one has lost their job and we hope to renovate, refurbish, rebrand and reopen as quickly as possible.
“We want to get these guys back working again.”
Another employee, who has also asked to remain anonymous, says many feel they have been kept out the loop.
She said: “We were told on Thursday that we would be closing, and that Saturday would be our last day.
“It was then made the responsibility of management to tell the staff, but some people still found out through the Instagram post.
“Some of us have bills to pay.”
Union backing disgruntled staff
The claims have now been picked up by Unite, the UK’s biggest union.
Bryan Simpson, who works for the union’s hospitality sector, said: “Our members at Italian Grill were informed of the closure of their workplace two hours before the post on social media.
“Some of them weren’t told at all and found out via Facebook.”
Mr Simpson is urging the restaurant’s bosses to “consult collectively” with the union and staff on the matter.
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