Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 5/18/16


Sanderson Farms says worker conditions as described in a recently released report from Oxfam America are not an issue in its operations, especially in terms of workers not being allowed to take bathroom breaks as needed.

The Laurel, Miss.-based poultry processor added that it met with Oxfam representatives in February to discuss alleged situations similar to those in the report “No Relief: Denial of Bathroom Breaks in the Poultry Industry.” Additionally, Sanderson noted that its policies provide for regular paid breaks as well as a meal break during each shift and it has “floating employees” who take the place of production line workers when a bathroom break is needed, the company said in a news release.

“It is difficult to imagine a successful employee recruitment effort if Sanderson Farms’ working conditions remotely resembled those described by Oxfam in its recent report,” the Sanderson statement reads. “Oxfam’s allegations continue to paint our industry with a broad brush by describing conditions that would, if they existed, be repugnant and contrary to our core principles. These allegations, based on weak methodology and only a handful of mostly anonymous claims, are less than convincing.”

The statement concludes that Sanderson has not been able to verify any complaints from employees over the lack of access to restroom facilities, adding that “any allegation to the contrary is simply not based in fact and is untrue.”

The Sanderson statement echoes those released by other processors and poultry industry groups refuting the report on conditions at processing plants.

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