Pizza Hut Worker Unfairly Sacked After Reporting Food Poisoning Wins Thousands in Damages

A university student who warned his employer about potential food poisoning has won thousands after a tribunal ruled he was unfairly dismissed. What began as concerns over hygiene practices at a Pizza Hut takeaway in Aberdeen escalated into a legal battle over whistleblowing protections.

David Low, who worked at the King Street branch while studying at Robert Gordon University, said he raised repeated concerns about food safety standards after completing formal training. Instead of seeing improvements, he said he faced demotion, accusations of sabotage, and ultimately the loss of his job.

In late February 2026, an employment tribunal ruled in his favor, finding that the dismissal amounted to unlawful retaliation for making protected disclosures. The decision highlights the legal protections in place for workers who report safety concerns in the workplace.

Concerns Over Food Safety Practices

Low began working at the Aberdeen takeaway in June 2023 and was promoted to shift manager, later becoming assistant store manager. As part of that promotion, he completed food safety training that emphasized strict hygiene procedures and accurate record keeping.

After the training, he grew increasingly concerned about practices inside the store. The tribunal heard that staff were required to log freezer and raw product temperatures into an app called Hut Bot, but actual readings were often not taken. Instead, inaccurate information was entered into the system, which he believed breached company hygiene rules.

Low also raised concerns about high staff turnover and a lack of proper training for new employees. According to the tribunal findings, he worried that poor practices could lead to customers becoming ill. At one point, he reported a suspected case of food poisoning to Pizza Hut and said he had also become sick after eating food from the branch.

From Complaints to Demotion

In April 2024, Low emailed his manager to say he intended to step down from his assistant manager role, stating that he did not want to be held responsible if the store failed a hygiene inspection. He also raised concerns through internal messages, outlining specific incidents where health and safety procedures were not followed.

The following month, after lodging further complaints, he was informed that his pay would be cut and that he would be demoted to an in-store role. The franchise company, Ultra Catering, accused him of making malicious complaints to Pizza Hut and of sabotage.

He was then instructed to relocate to a branch in Dunfermline, more than two hours away from Aberdeen, despite living and studying locally. After that reassignment, he was offered no further shifts. Although there was no formal dismissal letter, the tribunal later found that the sequence of events effectively terminated his employment.

Tribunal Rules It Was Unfair Dismissal

Low brought a claim for unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal, arguing that he had been penalized for whistleblowing. The tribunal agreed, concluding that the actions taken by the franchise amounted to a dismissal linked to his protected disclosures about hygiene concerns.

Employment Judge James Hendry stated in the written ruling that the claim succeeded and that Low had been unfairly dismissed for making protected disclosures. He was awarded £11,270.14 or almost $15,000 in compensation.

Pizza Hut noted that the Aberdeen branch was operated by an independent franchisee, Ultra Catering, which was responsible for day-to-day management and employment matters. A spokesperson said the company requires franchisees to comply with applicable employment legislation and acknowledged the tribunal’s outcome. The case underscores the importance of legal safeguards for employees who raise public health and safety concerns in the workplace.