Craft beer giant BrewDog is facing claims it used ideas from job hopefuls who turned up for bogus interviews.
Several people have said they applied for posts with the brewery and were asked to provide marketing plans before being told their application was unsuccessful.
They claim their projects were then launched by the company.
The firm’s co-founder James Watt described the claims as “ridiculous”.
A row erupted after a London marketing firm boss alleged on Twitter that his company worked on the idea of the Aberdeen-based brewers launching a non-alcoholic beer.
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Alex Myers, of Manisfest, alleged BrewDog had “chosen a different route” before announcing alcohol-free Punk IPA. He also claimed his company had not been paid.
Myers later said the issue with BrewDog has been “resolved” but would not reveal how.
His post triggered a string of similar allegations from people who claimed they had been victims of so-called idea mining.
US candidate Jenny Frankart claimed BrewDog asked her to produce ideas for a marketing position and attended four interviews that she had to fly to.
She said she submitted “idea after idea” to BrewDog and that she was the “favourite candidate” and was told her flight would be reimbursed.
In the end, Jenny claims she was “ghosted” by BrewDog, not reimbursed for her flight and left feeling foolish.
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BrewDog’s Watt said: “We have never and will never use a concept from an interview process without consultation with that individual and, of course, payment.
“We honoured our commitment to refund the cost of flights for a candidate but remain steadfast in our position that we do not pay job applicants for their time while they apply for a job.”
