TORBAY, England -- Staff at an award-winning British hospital felt "insulted" when managers rewarded their efforts with a free Kit Kat.
The South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Torbay Hospital in southwest England, was awarded the title of "Acute Healthcare Organisation of the Year 2011" at the Health Service Journal awards at a glittering ceremony in London.
The 4,000 staff received a coupon for the chocolate snack and a message to "take a break" along with their latest payslip.
Union rep Paul Raybould told the Western Morning News that staff were "not just perturbed, but insulted."
"If I had given 20 years of service, I know exactly what I would want management to do with their Kit Kat," Raybould added. "The idea of management enjoying a freebie while staff get a 60p ($0.93) Kit Kat voucher which can only be redeemed in the hospital restaurant is a real slap in the face."
A hospital spokesman said the gift was misinterpreted and was part of a range of thank you measures planned by managers.