WORKERS at a TGI Friday’s that shut suddenly have slammed the firm for failing to tell them directly they were losing their jobs.

The Hagley Road restaurant shut suddenly on Tuesday after its operators fell into administration.

Workers were emailed and told to stay at home and wait for a Zoom call, but say never received an invite.

Staff claim they've been offered no support and don't know whether they will be paid.

Jason Orme, who has been the general manager of the Hagley Road restaurant for more than two years, says he found out that his branch was closing when he arrived for work as usual on the morning of Monday, October 7 and was greeted by an SIA officer there to change the locks.

The 34-year-old from Stourbridge said: "At 8.30am, someone was there with TGI branded paperwork in hand saying we were no longer trading. I have received zero communication from any execs or from TGI Friday’s themselves since.

“I have been a general manager for 15 years at various companies and this is the worst I have been treated.”

Mr Orme said he, along with his team of 38 employees, received a generic email telling team members not to go to work on Monday, excluding managers, and to await an invite to a Zoom call later that day when the situation would be explained to them.

However, employees say no one from the Hagley Road restaurant received a Zoom call invite. Instead, workers from other branches who were on the call told them they were not going to be paid for their final week of work, including holiday pay and tips.

The closure comes after Thursdays UK Ltd, the operators of the chain’s UK sites, fell into administration last month.

A rescue deal was announced on October 7, with buyers Breal Capital and Calveton UK stepping in to take over.

But, despite initial optimism, more than 1,000 employees across the UK were made redundant as it was revealed 35 restaurants would still be forced to close.

Workers made redundant may still be able to claim pay in lieu of notice and redundancy pay from the Government. 

Brenda Price has worked at the Hagley Road restaurant for 16 years.

The 38-year-old from Halesowen said: “I have never felt so undervalued. It feels like they don’t care about us at all.”

“We all found out at the same time. We haven’t even had the chance to say goodbye to one another.”

“We worked like dogs during our final week.

“In the morning, I was very emotional, but I’ve become angry. I’ve now spent the only money I have left on a food shop for me and my daughter.

“It’s like I’m walking around in a daze.”

Hayley Warner has been left worrying about how she will support her four children Hayley Warner has been left worrying about how she will support her four children (Image: Hayley Warner) Hayley Warner, 34, from Northfield worked alongside Miss Price and Mr Orme at the restaurant and echoed their frustrations.

Miss Warner added: “The last CEO was making millions and we were running around for minimum wage.

“All my wages went on fuel and food. I’ve been left worrying how my kids are going to be getting to school next week.”

Mr Orme, Miss Price and Miss Warner claim they are still to receive a formal notice of their redundancy from TGI Friday’s and have not received any direct communication from the company about what happens next or any support following losing their jobs.

Mr Orme said: “I want to support my team as much as possible. They’ve all got bills to pay.

“Some of them are single mothers and for some, this was their sole income. There has been no regard for people’s livelihood.

“There has been no support from TGI Fridays whatsoever.”

TGI Friday’s declined to comment.