BrewDog's non-executive chairman Allan Leighton has hit out at a German-based human resources (HR) consultancy firm that offered to help disgruntled staff.
The Mail on Sunday revealed that he sent a letter to Hand & Heart, accusing it of creating the problem and criticising the firm for charging the brewery £100,000.
Leighton informed Kate Bailey, managing director at the business, that BrewDog would not be engaging in her proposed reconciliation programme and accused it of amplifying criticism on social media.
Last week, Bailey published a statement accusing the brewery of attempting to break its good faith agreement and obtain information about its users.
Leighton said in a memo to staff that BrewDog's people director Karen Bates had spent a “considerable amount of time” speaking to Bailey - and that the board took its proposal to help seriously.
However, the consultancy firm was not formally hired to create a platform for affected workers - it did so in conjunction with Punks with Purpose.
Last summer, the group of former BrewDog staff wrote an open letter accusing founders James Watt and Martin Dickie of creating a “cult of personality” and a “toxic work environment”.
Leighton wrote that he was concerned about the platform that had been set up for BrewDog workers, claiming it was “encouraging participants to submit malicious content”, adding that “the unavoidable impression is that of H&H charging the company to extinguish a fire it is fuelling itself”.
He added: “We believe it is impossible for you to be a neutral mediator in a sensitive private setting.”
Bailey replied to Leighton stating that Hand & Heart acted in “good faith” and that the complaint was “filled with unfounded accusations”, adding that it is “unbecoming of a leader of your stature and position in the business community”.
In her statement, she described the response from BrewDog as “offensive, uninformed and inconsistent”.
She added: ”There is no clarity or foundation in your accusations, the implication when framed with the facts is, that I am extorting BrewDog.”
Last week, Bailey detailed her engagement with the Ellon-based brewery since late February, when it was contacted by BrewDog representatives to create a reconciliation program - based on the work she did with another beer company.
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
