A student shift manager has secured a substantial compensation payout exceeding £11,000 after being dismissed for voicing serious concerns about suspected food poisoning and food safety violations at a Pizza Hut outlet.
Employment Tribunal Rules in Favour of Whistleblower
David Low, employed by the franchise company Ultra Catering, was awarded £11,270.14 following an employment tribunal decision that found he had been unfairly dismissed for making protected disclosures. Low had been working at a Pizza Hut branch in Aberdeen while studying at Robert Gordon University when he was promoted to shift manager.
Safety Concerns and Inaccurate Records
After completing a food safety course linked to his promotion, Low became increasingly alarmed by practices he claimed to have witnessed earlier in his employment. These included inaccurate temperature records and significant food hygiene issues. The tribunal heard that raw products supplied by Pizza Hut required strict storage and handling under a detailed system.
Staff were mandated to log information such as freezer temperatures throughout their shifts using an app called Hut Bot. However, Low was aware that actual temperature readings were often not taken, with the app instead being filled with false information.
Repeated Complaints and Lack of Support
Low repeatedly raised concerns with directors about the store's management and expressed feeling unsupported when requesting training for new staff. He also feared personal liability if poor practices led to a food poisoning outbreak. At one point, he fell ill after consuming food from the branch, which he believed was linked to food poisoning caused by the meal.
Low warned bosses that the store would fail a hygiene inspection unless standards improved. In May 2024, after lodging numerous complaints, he was informed his pay would be cut and he would be demoted to an 'in-store' employee.
Accusations and Dismissal
He was accused of making malicious complaints to Pizza Hut, sabotage, and was told he should transfer to a branch in Dunfermline, Fife. Low interpreted this as dismissal when no further shifts were offered. He subsequently filed a claim against Ultra Catering at an employment tribunal, arguing he had been unfairly dismissed for whistleblowing.
Tribunal Ruling and Compensation
In a written ruling, employment judge James Hendry stated: 'The claim succeeds and the tribunal finds that the claimant was unfairly dismissed from his employment with the respondent company for making protected disclosures.' Low was awarded £11,270.14 in compensation. Pizza Hut was approached for comment on the matter.
