Workers at Jumby Bay Resort Fired After Reporting Sick

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A decision by a major luxury resort to terminate at least six employees after they reported stomach pain at work has triggered concern about worker treatment and disciplinary practices in the hospitality industry.

According to information confirmed through multiple dismissal letters issued this week, the employees were fired following a month-long suspension and internal investigation into an incident that occurred during a shift on October 19, 2025.

On that night, several workers reportedly experienced stomach discomfort and left the property before the scheduled end of their shift. Management later concluded that their early departure “disrupted guest service operations” and amounted to misconduct severe enough to justify immediate termination under Section C58 of the Labour Code.

One termination letter reviewed by this newsroom states that the employees’ report of a stomach ache was considered part of “an action by you and other members of staff to walk off the job,” which management interpreted as a form of work stoppage or industrial action. The resort further asserted that the alleged walk-off “totally eroded the trust and confidence” necessary for continued employment.

There is no indication in the letters reviewed that the employer has provided proof that the staff members were not genuinely ill on the night in question. This absence of medical verification has become a central point of contention, fueling debate about whether the dismissals were fair or premature.

Labour observers note that illnesses at work, particularly sudden stomach sickness, are generally treated as health concerns, not misconduct, unless clear evidence of coordinated industrial action exists.

As a result of the resort’s decision, six families have now lost their primary source of income, raising urgent questions about how employers should respond when multiple workers fall ill during the same shift, and whether existing policies adequately protect staff from harsh disciplinary outcomes.

This remains a developing story.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Workers should have been advised to seek medical attention or better yet, sent for medical evaluation to determine the cause of the stomach pain.

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