A FORMER factory employee made a “life-changing” decision to leave the company, after they received a letter suggesting their Covid-19 isolation absences could be “ingenuine”.

This employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, received the letter from Muller in Bridgwater when they were isolating because they tested positive for coronavirus.

As well as highlighting the four periods of isolation the employee had over the past ten months, the letter states: “it could be argued your absences are being used to mask your absence record to avoid disciplinary action”.

It goes on to say “a pattern has been noted” and Muller expected to see “an immediate and sustained improvement” in the employees absence level.

But when confronted about the letter, Muller explained they could not comment on individual cases.

The employee said they were “really disappointed” by the letter.

“The first date was because my partner tested positive for Covid at the beginning of the pandemic,” the employee said.

“And twice I was told to self-isolate either via the app or test and trace. And the final time was when I tested positive for the virus.

“I was sent the letter when I was self-isolating after contracting Covid. No-one called to see if I was okay.

“When I got back to work, I switched off the test and trace app on my phone because I didn’t want a message telling me I needed to self-isolate again.

“I just think it should be highlighted that a company is treating staff like this, it is added stress and you don’t need it.”

The employee felt they had no other choice but to find a new job - just in case they were told to self-isolate again.

“I felt I had no other option but to look for work elsewhere – during a pandemic, which is very hard,” they added.

“I’ve got a family and three children, it was a very difficult decision to start looking for work as you don’t have the job security in a new job – but I couldn’t risk being told to self-isolate again.

“I enjoy working with the people I have got on the team, and I do feel like I’m letting the team down as we are a strong team - but I can’t afford to lose a job.

“The decision to leave was life-changing for me. I like the job and I am more disappointed that I have had to leave, but I’m grateful for the new job and I hope I can build a career there.”

Muller said they had no opportunity to discuss these concerns with the employee after they chose to resign.

“We stand by the actions taken, which included clarifying procedures for reporting absences so that we can ensure that work can be planned,” a spokesperson for Müller Milk & Ingredients added.

“We would also like to stress that when an employee informs us of their intention to resign, we offer exit interviews so that can we better understand the reasons for leaving and learn any lessons.

“On this occasion, we were not made aware of the concerns he has now raised, so we had no opportunity to discuss and resolve them.”