A DUBLIN café has sparked anger after suggesting anyone receiving Pandemic Unemployment Payments (PUP) over the past year has been “sitting on their hole watching Netflix.”
The White Mouse Café made the remarks in a social media post promoting a new job at the north Dublin eatery.
It read: “It is proving very difficult to recruit staff to work in hospitality these days. Why would anyone want to work in this industry when they can get a sizeable Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) for sitting on their hole watching Netflix?
“To this end, White Moose guarantees its employees that they will get a significantly higher wage working here than sitting on their arses at home and living off tax payer money.
“A job with us will give you the chance to reintegrate into the community and work in an environment where safety comes first and Covid protocols are followed to the letter.
The post ends: “P.S. The PUP seems great now, but just wait until the Government levies huge taxes on you down the line! Get back to work!”
While Paul Stenson, the owner of the White Mouse Café, is no stranger to the dark arts of outrage marketing.
A few years back he took the drastic step of banning vegans from the café and more recently took aim at customers requesting gluten free options.
The PUP seems great now, but just wait until the Government levies huge taxes on you down the line! Get back to work! pic.twitter.com/kYqeV01zYB
— The White Moose Café (@whitemoosecafe) May 4, 2021
However, this latest stunt appears to have struck a nerve with many followers who branded it “out of touch” and “tone deaf”.
“This has to be the most out of touch post iv [sic] seen in a long time,” one wrote.
“I would be ashamed to work for a company that has this outlook.’
Another concurred: “Usually I admire your work, but this is completely tone deaf. Very, very poor form. You should be ashamed.:
A third added: “The auld job advert is getting plenty of eyes on it but your outrage marketing and the way you are perceived makes you an unattractive employer.”
Despite the uproar, Stenson claims the social media campaign has had the desired effect with over 300 CVs received at the time of writing.
