A FATHER is furious with an agency for threatening to discipline his son if he fails to attend work on New Year's Day.

The dad, who does not wish to be named, claims his son received a message - which appears to be from 24-7 recruitment - telling him to work on Monday, January 1, or face 'disciplinary' measures.

He also said that other agency staff working at the Sainsbury's Depot in Shire Park, Worcester, received the same message on Thursday.

The father compared the incident to a recent scandal at the Wagamamas branch in North Finchley, London, where employees were told they would be punished for calling in sick over Christmas.

He said: "That's a bit of a threat really. It's a form of bullying.

"They are expecting people to be absent as it's New Year's Eve. People do tend to drink to excess on New Year's Eve.

"But I think it's wrong. What if someone working that day is genuinely ill? It's morally reprehensible.

"I don't know what the disciplinary will be. It puts a lot of pressure on them."

The full text states: "Hi guys just to remind your shift Monday 01/01/2018 starts at 10am Please make sure you will be in, any abs 1st of January will face Disciplinary. Thank you 24-7 recruitment"

The concerned father does not blame Sainsbury's for the incident as he said the workers are employed by the agency.

He added that the text would not have been so bad if it had been worded better.

The dad is now calling on 24-7 recruitment to apologise for the message.

He said his son was not bothered by the random drug and alcohol checks in the warehouse - but has been upset by this incident.

24-7 recruitment was approached for comment.