It is one of the companies immediately associated with Bordeaux. The Baillardran family group has more than twenty shops selling the famous cannelé, this sweet little flan, in a chic atmosphere. But behind this decorum, France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine unveils difficult working conditions for employees and hygiene violations. According to information from 20 minutesan investigation by the departmental directorate for population protection (DDPP) of Gironde is underway within the Baillardran group and a procedure should be transmitted to the Bordeaux public prosecutor’s office in a few weeks.
Refrozen canelés and supervised saleswomen
Nearly fourteen salespeople and pastry chefs spoke to France 3 about these issues. They say that “buckets of pasta have been left in the open air for several days” and some have already noticed that rodent droppings were in the kitchens. The freshness of the canelés is also compromised since, according to their stories, they are “regularly frozen, thawed, or even refrozen. »
In terms of working conditions, employees denounce degraded premises, “the absence of a break room or even changing rooms” or even work clothes which are not regularly cleaned. The sellers would also be monitored by security cameras. “We are living in a time where employees come to work, believe that they have the right to a salary, but do not want to do much,” Angèle Baillardran, who heads the group, commented to France 3. Sometimes you can lose your patience, but most of the employees I have are great and there’s no problem.”
At midday this Tuesday, the group’s press service had not responded to the request for 20 minutes for an interview with Angèle Baillardran.