Morrisons Verwood employees complain at 'freezing cold' supermarket

Shop workers at Morrisons in Chiltern Drive, Verwood said working conditions in the shop are so cold that it is “affecting staff morale”.

One shop worker on the checkouts even took in a thermometer and recorded a temperature of 12C. 

The Health and Safety Executive suggests the minimum temperature for working indoors should normally be at least 16C or 13C if much of the work involves rigorous physical effort. 

Thermometer showing 12C in Morrisons (Image: Sent in by reader)

Morrisons has confirmed there is an issue with the heating system and that it is being looked at. 

One shopworker at the Verwood supermarket said: “One of my colleagues took in a thermometer and it was 12C. The highest it has been lately is 14C. 

“When I’m working there I’m always shivering. Customers say it is awful and say ‘how can you work in these conditions?’. 

“It’s awful and I don’t know what is happening there. 

Morrisons Verwood (Image: Daily Echo)

“They’ve even dimmed the lighting now to save money, it just sounds like a struggling company, especially since the American company took over it. 

“I’ve sent an email to head office and somebody answered on CEO David Potts’ behalf, but it just said they will be in touch with an engineer and are waiting for a part but they say that every year.” 

The shopworker added morale has been affected amongst staff, saying: “For the staff and customers, it really affects morale and our moods. It’s just miserable and cold in there all winter.” 

Another added: “The store is always freezing cold and has been for a while now. Customers always complain to me about it but nobody does anything about it. 

“I hate comping to work sometimes, especially when I start early and the mornings are really frosty and cold.” 

A spokeswoman for Morrisons said: “Unfortunately there is an issue with the heating in our Verwood store. The system is being worked on and we hope to have it fixed as soon as possible.”