Tomahawk Steakhouse Accused of Forcing Furlough Employees to Loan Salary
A steakhouse chain, which opened its first London restaurant in December 2020, has been accused of forcing its employees to repay 10 percent of their wages while on vacation – the state system that covers 80 percent of workers’ wages due to the coronavirus incapacitated are pandemic. Tomahawk, who took over Jamie Oliver’s former flagship restaurant Fifteen in Hoxton, reportedly told staff that they would have to sign a new contract in order to survive the business. Staff who spoke to the BBC said the chain also told them that not signing the contract would risk Tomahawk “seeing if this job is right for you”.
The company reportedly zoomed in and sent the suggestion to all of its employees, telling them it was a “short-term cash flow problem.” Government loan programs to help companies with coronavirus cash flow problems are open until the end of March. However, the company informed employees that “the only viable alternative is to get your approval for a loan agreement” as it requires payment of national insurance and pension contributions for staff on leave.
Tomahawk has stated that the system has been used 100 percent and denied claims that the drawdown was due to an implicit threat of dismissal. It said, “At no point has Tomahawk Steakhouse proposed laying off employees if they did not sign a loan agreement.”
The GMB Union, which represents over 600,000 workers in the UK, described the plan as “abuse of the vacation program”. His regional secretary, Neil Derrick, pointed out that “it has never been easier or cheaper for companies to borrow,” and said that Tomahawk “wants it for free and they have solved their cash flow problem by giving their employees a cash flow Employees have given problem. “During the coronavirus crisis, the holiday tronc – a widely used tip distribution system – did not factor in its calculations, which means that many restaurant employees did not receive 80 percent of their normal earnings, which they get in each Case of particular risk exposes further deductions.
Tomahawk has five other restaurants outside of London. When we moved into Jamie Oliver’s former restaurant last winter, it was said, “We have breathed new life into the entire venue.” When Jamie Oliver’s group was marketed by Christie and Co after its collapse, the annual rent for Fifteen was £ 128,000 pear-year, with listings starting at £ 50,000.
