Fashion brand Oh Polly is criticised for refusing to give a nurse who won a giveaway for NHS staff her prize because she couldn’t take part in a video call while working a 12 hour shift
- Lara Harper, from Glasgow, entered competition for NHS workers and won
- Couldn’t participate in ‘virtual party’ due to working 12 hour shift on front line
- Was told couldn’t claim care package and outfit as wasn’t available for video call
- Lara was eventually given apology and prize after company accepted there had been a ‘mix up’
A fashion company has performed a U-turn after an NHS worker who won their giveaway contest was refused her prize because she will be ‘working a frontline shift’.
Lara Harper, from Glasgow, was delighted to have won Oh Polly’s competition for frontline staff, which would see her receive a ‘care pack’ and new outfit to join in with a ‘virtual cocktail party’ on Friday 24 April.
However, the nurse was gutted to find out that her twelve-hour shift clashed with the virtual party and that as a result, she could not claim her prize.
Screenshots of her conversation with the retailer show Oh Polly rescinding their offer after finding out Lara will not be able to attend their promotional event.
Lara Harper (pictured), from Glasgow, who entered a competition for NHS workers and won has slammed the online clothing brand for taking the prize back off her after she was unable to participate in their live event due to working a 12 hours shift on the front line
The nurse (pictured) was delighted to have won Oh Polly’s competition for frontline staff, which would see her receive a ‘care pack’ and new outfit to join in with a ‘virtual cocktail party’ on Friday 24 April
Taking to Twitter, Lara penned: ‘Imagine entering an Oh Polly competition for NHS workers and winning, but can’t participate due to working a 12hr shift on Friday on the frontline’ (pictured)
A member of their social media team wrote yesterday: ‘Unfortunately the prize was joining our party, the dress and care package was a little something to participate in on the evening of the event.
‘So sorry you were unable to join us babe and we do hope you are able to join us at further competitions.’
A furious Lara took to Twitter to expose Oh Polly’s behaviour. She shared the screenshots with the caption: ‘Imagine entering an Oh Polly competition for NHS workers and winning, but can’t participate due to working a 12hr shift on Friday on the frontline.
‘And then being told you can’t claim the care package and outfit because you’re unable to be on the video call.’
Lara’s post, which has since clocked up more than 14,000 likes online, has outraged social media users.
A member of Oh Polly’s social media team wrote yesterday: ‘Unfortunately the prize was joining our party, the dress and care package was a little something to participate in on the evening of the event’ (pictured)
She followed it with another, writing: ‘Surely defeats the purpose of a competition to support frontline workers?
‘Being told you’ve won and then getting your prize taken off you because you are working in this pandemic.’
Lara’s post, which has since clocked up more than 14,000 likes online, has outraged social media users.
One wrote: ‘Wow this is the second thing I’ve seen about @ohpolly and their savage behaviour, absolute a no from me on any purchase.
”We’re grateful for your hard work Lara but if you can’t meet our advertising plug we’d rather pick someone else” wow.’
A second simply added: This is shocking.’
Many of Lara’s outraged followers were quick to take to the comments section, with one writing: ‘Eww will never shop at Oh Polly again after seeing this. Shame on them!’ (pictured)
And third penned: ‘Eww will never shop at oh Polly again after seeing this shame on them.’
Following the backlash, Oh Polly apologised to Lara and advised she would be able to receive her prize after all.
They wrote: ‘Hey Lara, we’d really like to apologise. There’s been a misunderstanding internally on the logistical aspect of this event and you’re completely within your rights to be upset by this response.
‘As mentioned on messages, the original box you won was only relevant to the activity taking place on Friday on FaceTime but as agreed we’d still love to send you an outfit.’
However, online commenters remained unimpressed.
One woman named Emmy wrote back: ‘Mix up? If she hadn’t posted it for everyone to see you wouldn’t have given her a new outfit anyways?
‘I understand you don’t owe anyone anything, but those that enter your competitions promote your business, otherwise we wouldn’t know who you even are.’
Since then, PrettyLittleThing have reached out to Lara and wrote: ‘Lara, we want to celebrate YOU and all the incredible things you are doing right now. DM us for a pretty little parcel. You deserve it.’
Mail Online have contacted Oh Polly for comment
Oh Polly later got in touch with Lara and advised she would be able to receive her prize after all (pictured)
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