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28/04/2015
Union Launches Campaign To Tackle Work Practices In Sports Direct
Unite the union has announced that it is launching a confidential advice and support line as part of a campaign to confront abusive 'Victorian' work practices at Sports Direct and a culture of fear at the retailer's Shirebrook warehouse in Derbyshire.
The move follows Channel 4's Dispatches programme: 'The secrets of Sports Direc'’, which exposed a zero hours contract workforce in constant fear of losing their jobs with staff named and shamed over a tannoy for not working fast enough.
It is estimated that only 300 out of the 5,000 plus workers at the Shirebrook depot actually have contracts with Sports Direct with the majority on zero hour contracts with two employment agencies – Best Connection and Transline.
According to the programme, the draconian working conditions are underpinned by a 'six strikes and you're out' disciplinary procedure. Workers can get strikes for long toilet breaks, excessive chatting and even having time off for sickness.
The confidential Unite hotline allows workers to get advice and support on workplace abuses at Sports Direct.
The telephone number is 0333 323 1441.
(CD/MH)
The move follows Channel 4's Dispatches programme: 'The secrets of Sports Direc'’, which exposed a zero hours contract workforce in constant fear of losing their jobs with staff named and shamed over a tannoy for not working fast enough.
It is estimated that only 300 out of the 5,000 plus workers at the Shirebrook depot actually have contracts with Sports Direct with the majority on zero hour contracts with two employment agencies – Best Connection and Transline.
According to the programme, the draconian working conditions are underpinned by a 'six strikes and you're out' disciplinary procedure. Workers can get strikes for long toilet breaks, excessive chatting and even having time off for sickness.
The confidential Unite hotline allows workers to get advice and support on workplace abuses at Sports Direct.
The telephone number is 0333 323 1441.
(CD/MH)
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