Tim Hortons responds to accusations of employees needing doctor’s notes during COVID-19 pandemic
Published March 14, 2020 at 7:20 pm
Tim Hortons has issued an official response to the criticism of some employees reportedly requiring doctor’s notes to be able to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, #BoycottTimHortons began trending on Twitter after it was reported that some of the chain’s employees allegedly could not take a sick day unless they presented a doctor’s note.
Outraged users on social media criticized the massive fast food chain for the situation, prompting Tim Hortons to issue a response on Twitter.
Tim Hortons does not realize the damage that it has done to its brand. It will likely never recover in the eyes of many who once saw it as a national institution. It deserves whatever bad press and derision it is getting. #boycottTimHortons https://t.co/IFpYHGnNrA
— Neil Before Zod™ (@WaytowichNeil) March 14, 2020
Remember when every Canadian loved @TimHortons it wasn’t to long ago. Their reputation has been tarnished again and again. Bad things happen when you care more about money than you do about your employees and your product. #boycottTimHortons
— Kevin Collinson (@Kevin_Collinson) March 14, 2020
Tim Hortons claims that a lot of misinformation is circulating, and that its official policy doesn’t require employees to have a doctor’s note when calling in sick during the current pandemic.
“There is a lot of misinformation circulating and we want to make this very clear to all Tim Hortons team member and guests,” the company said.
While there’s no confirmation on whether or not any individual restaurant owner went against this policy, Tim Hortons says it has been working with its 1,500 restaurant owners to follow the advice of their local public health authorities.
“We take our responsibility to Tim Hortons guests and team members across Canada very seriously. It is important for all of us to follow the advice of our public health officials especially around staying home if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19.”
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertisingThere is a lot of misinformation circulating and we want to make this very clear to all Tim Hortons team members and guests. Our policy is clear. Team members should always stay home if they are sick – and do not require a doctor’s note. pic.twitter.com/OfFD8oKCC4
— Tim Hortons (@TimHortons) March 14, 2020