Earlier this week, trade union Unite sent a letter to new BrewDog chief executive James Arrow detailing staff concerns.
It was signed by 69 staff across 11 locations, including seven from the Union Square bar in Aberdeen.
A Unite spokesman told The Press and Journal: “The way our members have been treated across BrewDog is morally reprehensible and almost certainly illegal.
“We have been presented with evidence of shocking health and safety breaches which are putting workers and customers at serious risk of harm.
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“This is one of the worst examples of systemic bullying and toxic leadership culture we have ever come across.
“When workers tried to challenge these terrible conditions, they were victimized and in some cases dismissed.
“Staff across BrewDog have had enough and are collectively challenging these pay and conditions through their unions.
“We will do everything we can, legally and industrially, to support them.”
It comes after a member of BrewDog staff at the company’s flagship bar in Waterloo, London, was fired after raising concerns about members of the far-right English Defense League (EDL) using the bar to hold meetings on St George’s Day in April.
The woman, who is Asian, reportedly alerted her manager to the meeting, but was later accused of “aggressive behavior and use of inappropriate language,” prompting her dismissal.
It is understood that while the EDL did not make a booking at the bar, BrewDog was informed by police that the group was likely to be in the area.
Police urged bosses not to close the venue and said officers would be in attendance.
However, the woman claims that staff were not informed about this and that the shock contributed to her behaviour.
Now, in a letter sent to staff and posted on Unite’s social media, CEO James Arrow has acknowledged the controversy surrounding the letter and the dismissal of the Waterloo employee.
“Listening to our people is one of the most important ways we can shape our business,” he said.
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“We will only achieve our ambitions with the support of a happy, motivated and committed crew.
“I remain focused on making BrewDog an even better place to work and the management team and I am always open and eager to listen.
“I also wanted to comment on the articles you may have read about the dismissal of a crew member at Waterloo.
“On the morning of St George’s Day the Waterloo team were contacted by the police along with bar operators across central London.
Rather than respond directly to a formal collective grievance signed by dozens of workers at 11 locations, the company’s CEO @BrewDog sent this letter to *all* workers, completely ignoring their serious concerns.
With a dash of victim blaming at the end for good measure… pic.twitter.com/0MIZWRVwzT
— Unite Hospitality (@FairHospitality) June 29, 2024
“We were told that a rally was expected that day, that all venues should remain open to maintain public order and that any protesters attending the bar would be escorted by the police.
“The last thing we want is for any crew member to feel uncomfortable or intimidated.
“However, there are standards of behavior that we expect and in this case there was a clear and unacceptable breach of our code of conduct and we have taken appropriate action.”
Earlier this year, BrewDog announced that it would no longer pay new employees the Real Living Wage.