KATE Middleton’s mum Carole has been accused of bombarding the staff at her party firm with emails and docking their pay for going to the dentist, reports claim.

Disgruntled ex-Party Pieces employees told The Mail on Sunday that “high-handed” Mrs Middleton would click her fingers at staff and shun those who disagreed with her.

It comes weeks after The Sun revealed the Duchess of Cambridge’s mum was forced to axe half of the staff at the business amid fears over its future.

Three employees were made redundant in March by Mrs Middleton – who has credited children Kate, Pippa and James for the company’s “success”.

One former staff member claimed to have received 71 emails from Mrs Middleton in one day.

She was also accused of acting “unprofessionally” by clicking her fingers to get attention.

“Once she clicked her fingers wanting someone to come over to her desk, which I thought was demeaning and unprofessional,” an ex-employee said. "I saw her doing it to others as well.”

Staff also told how they were required to log exactly when they started and finished work to ensure they worked their allotted hours.

'PAY DOCKED FOR DENTIST TRIPS'

Accountants reportedly alert Mrs Middleton to the names of anyone who might have fallen short of their quota.

Some employees were emailed and given the choice of having money deducted from their pay or making up their hours, according to reports.

One former worker claimed even going for a dentist appointment would count against you.

“I could understand having to clock in if you are being paid by the hour – but we were salaried staff,” he said.

Others complained about having to work over the weekends after Mrs Middleton insisted on last minute changes.

She was also accused of shunning people who dared disagree with her.

If you disagreed with her then she would bestow her favour on someone else, the former employee said.

Last month, The Sun revealed the company’s web designer, PR agent and search engine optimisation wizard were all given the chop.

'AIR OF DOOM AND GLOOM'

One shocked insider told The Sun: “There is a terrible air of doom and gloom about the place.”

The firm – slogan 'magical parties for over 30 years’ – was set up in 1987 by Mrs Middleton, 54, and hubby Michael, 69.

But the business has struggled recently – and last year Mrs Middleton broke a 15-year media black-out to give an interview about Party Pieces which was viewed as a bid to drum up much-needed interest and potential investors.

She had declined numerous media requests in an apparent bid to maintain the privacy of her royal daughter Kate, 37, son-in-law Prince William, 36, and their young family.

Insiders told how in recent months, rather than stocking the warehouse and posting out goods on demand, products are only ordered in as required.

In addition to the latest job losses, three warehouse workers were axed just before Christmas.

But weeks later, when orders briefly picked up, agency staff had to be recruited to replace them.

One insider said there wasn’t so much as a Christmas tree or festive decorations in the office.

'MORALE AT ROCK BOTTOM'

The idea for Party Pieces came from Mrs Middleton’s personal need for supplies for her own children’s parties.

On the company website Mrs Middleton is pictured and talks about her children in a message to customers.

She says: “It’s always been a family business and all the children have played a part.

“James established our personalised photo cakes, Catherine started the 1st birthday side of the business, and Pippa developed the Party Pieces blog.”

The Sun told last month how Party Pieces was slammed for flogging “complete tat” by furious customers.

The firm was blasted in reviews posted online and has a “bad” rating with an average score of just 2.1 out of ten.

In her magazine interview last year Mrs Middleton told how her children give her advice on her party business.

She said: “Because they all grew up with me working, Party Pieces has been very much part of our lives and what we talked about. I still ask their advice and say ‘What do you think of this?’”

The Sun Online has approached Party Pieces for a comment regarding today's claims.

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