Sports Direct zero-hours staff to take legal action
11 September 2014
Sports Direct is facing legal action from 250 employees excluded from its multimillion-pound bonus scheme because they were on zero-hours contracts.
Thu, 11 Sep 2014 | By Nicola SullivanSports Direct is facing legal action from 250 employees excluded from its multimillion-pound bonus scheme because they were on zero-hours contracts.
A statement from law firm Leigh Day, representing the staff, said they are taking legal action in the High Court after being barred from a bonus scheme, which, according to the Guardian newspaper, paid out about £160m worth of shares to 2,000 permanent workers in 2013.
Pay Justice is encouraging any staff members, who believe they might be eligible, to find out what their claim might be worth via its website. A statement on the Pay Justice website said the current claim will apply to all Sports Direct staff who have been employed since at least 27 April 2008. Those affected include sales assistants, warehouse staff, floor supervisors, as well as staff who later gained a salaried position.
The Guardian reported that the retailer has been widely criticised for employing nearly 90% of its staff on zero-hours contracts, which do not guarantee a minimum number of hours and don’t offer annual leave and sick pay.
When contacted by Recruiter, a spokesperson from Sports Direct said he could not comment on this issue because of a pending legal case involving one casual worker, which is due to be heard later this autumn.
A statement from law firm Leigh Day, representing the staff, said they are taking legal action in the High Court after being barred from a bonus scheme, which, according to the Guardian newspaper, paid out about £160m worth of shares to 2,000 permanent workers in 2013.
Pay Justice is encouraging any staff members, who believe they might be eligible, to find out what their claim might be worth via its website. A statement on the Pay Justice website said the current claim will apply to all Sports Direct staff who have been employed since at least 27 April 2008. Those affected include sales assistants, warehouse staff, floor supervisors, as well as staff who later gained a salaried position.
The Guardian reported that the retailer has been widely criticised for employing nearly 90% of its staff on zero-hours contracts, which do not guarantee a minimum number of hours and don’t offer annual leave and sick pay.
When contacted by Recruiter, a spokesperson from Sports Direct said he could not comment on this issue because of a pending legal case involving one casual worker, which is due to be heard later this autumn.
