Pets at Home under fire amid coronavirus crisis

Pets at Home is facing criticism for its treatment of store staff as the coronavirus outbreak escalates.

In an email sent to RTIH, an employee (who wished to remain anonymous) said: “Not only were there no changes in work conditions from the very start of the corona virus outbreak in the UK, but we have actively been encouraged throughout to not wear the gloves provided by the company so they do not have to invest in more.”

“It seems to be business as usual, with the idea that you work until you catch the coronavirus, you recover, and then you immediately return to work. We have been asked to provide all contact information to our area manager if we are self-isolating so they can keep tabs on us at all times and can return as soon as possible,” they added.

“The responsibility has time and time again been placed upon their staff to maintain safe working conditions, which is not feasible with the massive increase in customers in and out of the store. They are placing the responsibility on the individual so they cannot be held accountable for their complete failure to protect us.”

A spokesperson for Pets at Home responded: “We cannot comment on anonymous quotes but can only stress that nobody is being forced to work by the business.”

Pets at Home will continue to pay all colleagues their normal pay if they need to self-isolate or are in a high-risk group, and have committed a £1 million fund to support any staff members who experience financial hardship.

“CEO Peter Pritchard communicated this to the business and its six million customers in a letter. It is also worth flagging that we are doing everything we can to help our colleagues and customers stay safe,” the spokesperson continued.

“We are encouraging handwashing and social distancing, and stepping up already diligent store cleaning procedures – and the business is taking pets off the shopfloor to avoid people coming in simply to look at the animals.”

Key workers controversy

Last week, Boris Johnson announced plans to close all schools in the UK to halt the spread of the coronavirus. They will be shut until further notice for all pupils except children of key workers and the most vulnerable. This is a sizeable number of kids and so many teachers will remain on the frontline over the coming months.

Pets at Home came in for criticism as it tried to get its staff on the coronavirus key workers list. “Very disappointed @PetsatHome. This is not what the key workers list should be used for. You are endangering teachers, chn & society by telling your workers to send their children into school. The gov stated schs are open for chn of essential workers. Dog collars are not essential,” said primary school teacher @emmaccatt.

“All my colleagues are working hard to keep our stores, vet practices, specialist hospitals, distribution centres and support centres open. We have faced some criticism from people in doing so, saying that pet products are non-essential, and we should close,” Pritchard said in a message posted on Facebook.

“We believe that feeding pets and being there to support their health and emergency health needs are essential. There are eight million dogs, nine million cats and many million small animals in the UK. Pets rely on us humans to feed and care for them and for many people now in times of isolation, their loved pet is a lifeline. Whilst supermarkets focus on feeding the nation, we and other pet stores and veterinary providers can serve the nation’s pets,” he concluded.