There has been widespread criticism from politicians and the workplace trade unions following TGI Fridays’ recent decision to axe meals for workers. 

Previously, TGI workers on double shifts (above ten hours) were entitled to a paid shift meal during their unpaid break, but the firm announced this week this will no longer be provided.

In the wake of the announcement, Sheffield Councillor Minesh Parekh called it a ‘particularly shocking decision to happen during the cost-of-living crisis.’

Restaurant chain TGI Fridays have two locations in Sheffield, one in Meadowhall’s food court and a second on Sheffield Road (S9 2YL).

TGI Fridays’ move to axe staff meals comes as low-paid workers are feeling the squeeze of the cost-of-living crisis, with many unable to afford basic necessities such as food and heating. A recent Living Wage Foundation report entitled ‘Life on Low Pay During a Cost-of-Living Crisis’ found that 42% of low-paid workers had had to skip meals regularly for financial reasons, and 41% had fallen behind with household bills.

Councillor Parekh said that the cost-of-living crisis is pushing more and more people into poverty, and TGI Fridays’ decision to axe staff meals will only make thing worse. He said: “The cost-of-living crisis is hitting low-paid workers hard; instead of helping them, TGI Fridays is taking away one of the few benefits their workers have. This decision is completely unfair, and particularly decision to happen during the cost-of-living crisis.”

 “We know that the cost-of-living crisis is driving more and more people into poverty. TGI Fridays’ decision to axe staff meals will only make things worse for low-paid workers.”

For the financial year 2019, TGI Fridays UK generated pre-tax profits of £25.6m, and saw revenues of £214.8m. The chain made headlines in 2018 after launching plans to redistribute tips away from their lowest paid workers. 

Rosa* (a pseudonym), a TGI Friday worker in Sheffield, said: “Head office can put any spin on this that they like but the fact still remains that they are taking free food away from managers and staff on minimum wage during a cost of living crisis.

“People might assume that management are all on salaries, but a lot of them are only on a couple of quid more than the staff on minimum wage and managers are set to lose thousands a pounds a year each in free food.”

“Affordable food is not always easily accessible for team in some stores on their unpaid breaks and even when it is, it will still be costing us more money at a time when we are all struggling financially. 

“We have already noticed the decline in tips since the pandemic, many of us have had our contracted guaranteed hours compromised and now this. It is getting harder to say we are proud to work for a company who is prioritising profit over their “family” because a family wouldn’t behave like this.”

Unite the Union represents TGI Fridays workers in the UK. Unite Hospitality has launched an online petition calling for TGI Fridays to reinstate staff meals: https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/reinstate-staff-meals-at-tgi-fridays

The petition text says that ‘staff are rightly angry and frustrated that they will have to sacrifice more of their income to feed themselves at work in order to satisfy the profit margins of company executives.’ It calls on Julie McEwan, the CEO of TGI Fridays UK, to reverse the company’s decision and reinstate staff meals.

Speaking on behalf of Sheffield Needs A Payrise, Annie Lawson-Foley, said: “Workers at TGI Fridays deserve better. Workers should take courage from the strikes in 2018 by co-workers across the country. As a result of that action workers won increased meal allowances. It’s only by every worker standing together and taking action together that these attacks will be reversed.”

“We wait for your instructions of how Sheffield Needs A Payrise can support you.”

Notes:

  • On 18 April 2023, Unite Hospitality broke the news that TGI Fridays UK had unilaterally decided to axe staff meals for workers during the cost-of-living crisis.
  • Sheffield Needs a Payrise is a cross-union campaign taking action for for a real living wage, guaranteed hours and union rights for workers across Sheffield. They recently won a 44% pay rise, an end to zero-hours contracts, and ready access to protective cleaning equipment, for workers at Cutlery Works in Kelham Island.