A grieving single mother says cruel bosses sacked her because she took time off after her aunt's sudden death.
Charmaine Kelly took two days off from post at TNC debt collectors in Glasgow after her aunt, Tracey Speirs, 49, suddenly died in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Charmaine, who had been working with the firm for just over a month, said she contacted her manager to request the Monday and Tuesday off.
She wanted to be with her devastated mum who usually looks after her daughter Rhiann, eight, while she is at work.
Bosses allegedly said they 'could not advise' how long she should take off.
And they warned that any leave would be at Charmaine's 'own risk' despite her bereavement.
She was then fired on the spot after arriving at work on Wednesday - a decision bosses said they 'didn't need to explain', she claims.
Now Charmaine, 26, from Drongan, faces an agonising Christmas without work while still grieving the loss of her aunt.
She told our sister paper, the Daily Record: "When I called up after my auntie passed on Sunday, I was told taking time off was at my own risk.
"I went back to work on Wednesday and my manager came over and told me 'I don’t have to give you a reason or explain myself but I'm terminating your employment right now'.
"I couldn’t see for crying after it happened, I have a house to keep, a daughter and no job with Christmas coming up.
"Everything has totally gone to pot, it's just so heartless and has totally broken me. We're such a close family and it's left me so stressed."
The firm helps collect debt for late payment such as council tax and parking fines for all organisations which offer credit.
But former employees have branded the company a "disgrace" and "seedy" in scathing reviews left online.
And when her other aunt called up to complain, the manager allegedly said 'this conversation is turning sour' and put the phone down.
The Daily Record attempted to contact TNC collections twice for comment, but representatives for the company said "we don't talk to the media" before terminating our call.
A representative at the Glasgow branch also declined to comment.
Charmaine added: "I think it’s really disgusting what they did to me.
"I wouldn’t want anyone to have to suffer like this, it’s heartbreaking. I just wish it was all a dream."
