18th Dec 2015 07:56
LONDON (Alliance News) - Sports Direct International PLC on Friday said founder Mike Ashley will personally oversee a review of all agency worker terms and conditions in order to ensure its employees and casual staff work in good conditions.
Ashley, who is deputy chairman and owns a 55% stake in the retailer, is expected to begin that review in the New Year, Sports Direct said.
The review comes in the wake of serious questions raised about the conditions faced by the company's workforce. Last week, the Guardian newspaper reported that workers at the company's Shirebrook warehouse were effectively paid under the minimum wage because of the conditions there.
On Friday, Sports Direct denied that the workhouse tannoy is used to 'harangue' or 'name and shame' staff, one of the allegations in that report, amid a broader move to defend itself against the claims.
"To date, Sports Direct has sought to address questions relating to its employment practices on a case-by-case basis directly with the enquirer, but it has become evident that by doing so various parties have chosen to ignore the facts provided and have continued to present an unfair portrayal of the company's employment practices," Sports Direct said in a statement.
"Sadly, it is also now clear that some others have chosen to rely on this portrayal when making public statements about Sports Direct, rather than obtaining information directly from the company before commenting," the retailer said.
By Samuel Agini; [email protected]; @samuelagini
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