Employees at multinational consumer goods company Bidco Africa have raised serious allegations of workplace harassment, verbal abuse, and unfair labour practices, claiming that the toxic environment within the company is making it increasingly difficult to perform their duties.
The workers, particularly from the sales department, say they have endured months of mistreatment, which has resulted in stress, fear, and low morale among employees.
They allege that despite raising multiple complaints internally, no action has been taken to address the issues.
At the centre of the accusations is the company’s Route-to-Market Head, whom employees claim has engaged in repeated acts of verbal abuse, intimidation, and harassment.
According to the affected workers, he frequently uses abusive language towards junior staff, creating a hostile work environment that leaves many feeling undervalued and demoralized.
Some employees further allege that those who fail to comply with his demands or challenge his leadership are unfairly targeted.
Several workers have reportedly faced threats of termination, while others claim they have already been dismissed without valid performance-related reasons.
The employees argue that this pattern of victimization has created an atmosphere of fear, discouraging workers from speaking up against unfair treatment.
Beyond verbal abuse and intimidation, the Route-to-Market Head is also accused of racial bias, with employees alleging that local staff are subjected to unfair treatment compared to their colleagues from other backgrounds.
Some female employees have come forward with claims of inappropriate advances, stating that those who reject such behaviour often face retaliation.
In some cases, they allege that they have been falsely accused of underperformance, leading to contract terminations.
The affected workers say that the demands placed on them extend beyond the workplace, with the Route-to-Market Head allegedly requiring employees to be active in work-related WhatsApp groups as late as 11 PM.
They argue that this excessive engagement has disrupted their work-life balance, leading to increased stress and burnout among the sales team.
Despite the gravity of these allegations, the employees claim that their complaints have been ignored by the company’s internal management, leaving them with no choice but to escalate the matter publicly.
They insist that the continued mistreatment of workers is not only affecting their well-being but also tarnishing the reputation of Bidco Africa, which has long positioned itself as a company that upholds ethical business practices.
Bidco Africa, headquartered in Thika, is one of the largest manufacturers and marketers of consumer goods in Africa.
Employees now calling for urgent intervention to address what they describe as systemic mistreatment within the organization. (First published: Nyakundi.com)
