Tesco urge workers to sing Happy Birthday to stay well

Tesco bosses have launched a bizarre bid to cut staff sick days - by ordering workers to wash their hands while singing Happy Birthday.

The supermarket giant unveiled the plan at a Scots call centre following a surge in absenses after 84 of the 500 workers at the customer service office in Dundee cried off last Monday, causing mass disruption.

Bosses fear further chaos over Christmas and are urging staff to wash their hands frequently while singing to stop germs spreading.



A memo from centre manager Jamie Hughes says: "The best way to wash your hands is under warm running water, using soap for at least 20 seconds. This is roughly about the same time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice. Let's get singing and keep yourself healthy this winter and the customer service centre relatively germ free."

One worker said: "Management should get the heating system fixed before wasting time telling us how to wash our hands while singing.

"We are all freezing and people have constantly complained. People are sitting around wearing coats and travel rugs to stay warm. Some even bring in hot water bottles. It is ridiculous."