An employer faced widespread criticism after marking a supermarket employee’s 40 years of service with a gift of just 40 sausage rolls—one for each upcoming shift.
Kevin Parsons, 56, has worked at Alliance supermarket in Guernsey since 1984. To celebrate his four decades of dedication, the company gave him a certificate, a tropical-themed mural for his home, and the sausage rolls.
Kevin accepted the gifts graciously and posed for photos with management during an in-store ceremony on Monday. “Words can’t express my appreciation,” he said. “It’s been a long 40 years but I’ve loved every minute of it.” Reflecting on his time, Kevin joked that new employees would need roller skates to keep up with him.
Alliance chairman Chris Fish praised Kevin as an exemplary employee who consistently helps wherever he can. He also recognized Kevin’s efforts in raising money for charity and his contributions to the community. Commercial director Laura Golden said the positive response to their Facebook post about Kevin showed how much he is valued. She added that the company treats all employees equally and that Kevin represents the company’s values well.
However, public reaction to the celebration, especially the sausage roll gift, was mostly negative. The popular Instagram page Pubity shared the story, prompting many critical comments. One user called the gift “genuinely so sad,” while another sarcastically questioned the generosity of the “40 year bonus.”
Many expressed disbelief and disappointment, with some saying this kind of recognition discourages loyalty and dedication in the workforce today. One commenter pointed out the stark contrast between Kevin’s commitment and the modest reward, writing, “You helped me sell 400,000 sausages over 40 years and I earned millions. Here’s your share of 40 sausages.”
Others accused the company of stinginess, with comments suggesting that the gift was insulting and did not reflect Kevin’s years of hard work. One user said, “This company didn’t deserve his determination and work ethic. A shame he wasted 40 years in a business that disrespected him.”
Though Kevin remains a respected figure within the store, the public clearly believes his loyalty deserved a more meaningful tribute than a handful of sausage rolls.
