Sacked Nuneaton Hello Fresh staff lose court challenge

HelloFresh workers who say they were dismissed after complaining about working conditions at the Nuneaton depot have lost their legal challenge.

CoventryLive previously reported 79 staff members alleged they were let go from the St George's Way distribution centre after voicing grievances about working conditions, a claim HelloFresh denied. Protests followed the dismissals.

It led to the issue being taken to court and, last week, a judge ruled the company did not need to pay the workers while they pursued a possible employment tribunal. A HelloFresh spokesperson said they were 'pleased' about the decision.

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In a statement provided to the BBC, the Community Trade Union, which represents the workers, said it was "understandably unhappy" with the initial judgement.

Gavin Miller, Regional Secretary for the Midlands at Community Union, said: "We hold the opinion that these workers were trying to engage with their employer and have lost their jobs as a result of wanting to be listened to."

He called for HelloFresh to commit to an independent review of business operations through Syndex - a consultation firm which assists employee representatives.

"If their employees truly are the heart of everything they do, they will see this as an essential measure to assess how they can retain their loyal and committed workforce," Mr Miller said

Hello Fresh statement

The full statement reads: "We are pleased that after reviewing the evidence, the court completely rejected Community's application against HelloFresh and found that the workers had engaged in an unlawful strike. At HelloFresh, we pride ourselves on being a company which treats all our employees with kindness and respect and providing a safe and supportive workplace across all our facilities. The outcome of the hearing affirms that the recent dismissals were fairly investigated and addressed, and that HelloFresh acted within the best interests of its employees to ensure their safety and well-being.

"Our employees are the heart of everything we do and we are committed to being an employer of choice."

The news comes in the wake of the online meals business confirmed it planned to close the distribution hub on St George's Way next year. It firm confirmed to CoventryLive the proposal is for the site to remain operational until the middle of 2025, at least until May 1 2025.

It has only been four years since the flagship centre, known as The Beehive, was opened