Gordon Ramsay branded 'piece of s**t' as he lays off over 500 staff at his restaurants amid coronavirus crisis

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is facing a lot of criticism after he terminated more than 500 staff at his London restaurants due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ramsay has announced that he would be temporarily closing down his restaurants to help prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

However, his step has not been taken positively as he fired the employees without giving any prior notice and just with a month's pay. Many of his staff members said that Ramsay has canceled their contracts and also gave no guarantee whether they would get their job back when the situation normalizes. 

Apparently, the television personality called a meeting where they were told their contracts were being axed.

One of his staff members, chef Anca Torpuc, has called the food critic a 'piece of 's***' for his decision. Talking to the Mail Online, Torpuc said, “All of us have worked so hard for Gordon Ramsay and he has just got rid of us when we needed his support the most. Many of the staff were left in tears at the way he has treated us. There was no warning.

“We were summoned to a meeting and told our contracts were being terminated. It was so brutal. Staff from each of the restaurants were summoned to the Heddon Street restaurant where they were given the news. It was so awful and so many were in tears.”

The 28-year-old also took to Facebook to call out Ramsay as she wrote: “I'm not talking about one person here, over 500 people lost their jobs yesterday so all I can say is thank you @gordongram @gordonramsayrestaurants I hope you sleep well at night knowing that so many people don't have a job in this difficult time because of you.”

Torpuc, who worked as demi chef at Savoy Grill, also said that she would never work for Ramsay in the future. “I have worked hard for him for the past two years, and this is how I am rewarded. It is not fair, but that doesn't worry him.”

Another employee of Ramsay, who would be closing 12 of his restaurants, said anonymously: “It just stinks that we have been let go. We all hope that this will pass and we can return to work, but there are many who will never work for Ramsay again. His behavior is disgusting.”

It has been reported that the 53-year-old has terminated his staff members just a day after he posted a tribute for them on Instagram. He wrote: “To all our Gordon Ramsay family, friends and colleagues. In this time of great uncertainty, we hope that you all are looking out for each other and staying as safe as possible.

“As the situation changes daily our focus has to be on the health and safety of our employees, guests, and community and to do our part in slowing the spread of the virus, from Saturday 21st March 2020, all our London restaurants will temporarily be closed. Whilst we don’t know when we will re-open, what we do know is by supporting each other through this terribly challenging time, we will come through this stronger than ever!”

“Huge love and thanks to our amazing staff across the restaurants for all their passion and support. I truly hope we are all back together very soon. Gordon,” said the father-of-five as he ended his post. He also captioned the tribute by writing, “As the Pandemic continues to grow a note from me about our restaurants in London. Be safe and take care of each other in these challenging times Gx.”

The Michelin stars awardee also sent an official mail to his staff regarding the termination, reported Mail Online. The mail read: “I am writing to confirm that you have been given notice that your contract of employment will be terminated and you will be paid four weeks' notice. You will be placed on garden leave for the duration of your notice.
Your P45, final holiday pay and any other monies owing will be forwarded to you in due course.”