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A pharmacy assistant who has worked at the same Weymouth Boots branch for 46 years says she has been left "heartbroken" after receiving a final written warning over a viral children's meme. Maria Clarke, 62, who works at the Boots pharmacy in Wyke Regis, was suspended and investigated after being overheard singing the popular "Chicken Banana" song while at work. The song is a dance-pop and electronic track and internet meme which has gone viral on YouTube and TikTok. Mrs Clarke, who says she has an otherwise unblemished employment record, has been given a final written warning for inappropriate behaviour and discrimination following a complaint made to the company.

The long-serving member of staff said she was left stunned when managers told her the meme could be considered offensive. Mrs Clarke said: "I thought it was a joke when outside management turned up and told me a children's meme was racist. "I was gobsmacked when they weren't joking. "The job is very stressful. "We are dealing with up to 300 prescriptions every day. "Every now and again we would laugh about something as a bit of light relief. According to Mrs Clarke, she was called to a meeting with managers from outside the branch and questioned about the use of the word "banana" in the workplace. She said she explained colleagues had simply been referencing the online meme and denied any racist intent. Mrs Clarke was subsequently suspended while an investigation took place and later attended a disciplinary hearing.