Earlier this week, trade union Unite sent a letter to BrewDog’s new CEO, James Arrow, outlining staff concerns.
It was signed by 69 employees from 11 locations, including seven from the chain’s bar in Aberdeen’s Union Square.
A Unite spokesperson told The Press and Journal: “The way our members have been treated at BrewDog is morally reprehensible and almost certainly illegal.
“We have received evidence of shocking health and safety breaches that are putting workers and customers at serious risk of harm.
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“It is one of the worst examples of systemic bullying and a toxic management culture we have ever encountered.
“When workers tried to challenge these terrible conditions, they were victimized and in some cases fired.
“Employees at BrewDog have had enough and are jointly protesting these wages and working conditions through their union.
“We will do everything in our power, both legally and industrially, to support them.”
This came after a BrewDog staff member was fired from the company’s main bar in Waterloo, London, after raising concerns about members of the far-right English Defence League (EDL) using the bar to hold a rally on St George’s Day in April.
The woman, who is of Asian descent, reportedly informed her manager of the meeting but was later accused of “aggressive behavior and use of inappropriate language,” which forced her dismissal.
It is understood that although the EDL had not made a reservation at the bar, BrewDog had been informed by police that the group was likely in the area.
Police encouraged bosses not to close the site and said officers would be present.
However, the woman claims that employees were not informed of this and that the shock contributed to her behavior.
In a letter to staff posted by Unite on social media, CEO James Arrow acknowledged the controversies surrounding both the letter and the Waterloo employee’s dismissal.
“Listening to our people is one of the most important ways we can shape our business,” he said.
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“We will only achieve our ambitions with the support of a happy, motivated and committed crew.
“I remain focused on making BrewDog an even better place to work and the leadership team and I are always open to feedback and happy to listen.
“I also wanted to address the articles you may have read about the firing of a crew member at Waterloo.
“On the morning of St George’s Day, the Waterloo team were contacted by police, along with bar owners in central London.
Rather than immediately respond to a formal collective complaint signed by dozens of employees at 11 locations, the CEO of @BrewDog sent this letter to *all* employees, completely ignoring their serious concerns.
With a dash of victim blaming at the end for good measure… pic.twitter.com/0MIZWRVwzT
— Unite Hospitality (@FairHospitality) June 29, 2024
“They told us that a rally was expected that day, that all locations had to remain open to maintain public order, and that any protesters visiting the bar would be escorted by police.
“The last thing we want is for any crew member to feel uncomfortable or intimidated.
“However, there are standards of conduct that we expect and in this case there was a clear and unacceptable breach of our code of conduct and we have taken appropriate action.”
Earlier this year, BrewDog announced it would no longer pay new employees the Real Living Wage.