'Scrooges' | Sainsbury's told staff 'work overtime or take unpaid leave' or NO Christmas bash

A Sainsbury’s store has come under fire for telling staff they would have to work longer or take unpaid leave to attend their work’s Christmas party, Stoke Sentinel has reported.

Workers at one of the supermarket’s branches in Hanley, Stoke, were reportedly told that because they were only entitled to 30 minutes paid break per shift, they would need to make up the lost time to attend the one-hour in-store colleague Christmas lunch.

An internal flyer, seen by Stoke Sentinel, read: "The sittings are an hour long. Whatever time you use over your break you will need to either make up or have as unpaid. Please inform us of your decision."

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Managers have now reportedly reversed their decision after receiving huge backlash from staff and customers, who branded the move as “ludicrous” and “scrooge-like”, particularly given the fact that the store in question is due to close next year.