Adecco Group company Spring Personnel is taking “necessary steps” to avoid future incidents, after a former recruitment manager was jailed for six months for stealing almost £20k owed to agency workers.

Stafford Crown Court heard former Spring recruitment manager Lisa Phillips took the money to pay her mortgage arrears between January 2009 and August 2013, The Express reported last week.

Using the firm's computer records, Phillips diverted the money from the workers’ accounts to her own bank account and then altered the records to cover her tracks.

Alex Fleming, Spring Personnel’s managing director, told Recruiter in a statement the company fully supported the decision by the court to charge Phillips for fraud, adding the decision represents justice for those affected by her actions while working for the agency.

The statement adds: “In early 2013 we contacted the relevant authorities and brought this issue to their attention. Since then we have co-operated with the relevant authorities and ensured that they have had all the information they required to complete their investigation.

“All our employees undergo the mandatory industry checks before being placed in employment and we take every step to ensure that our clients’ contracts and financial records are secure. In light of this investigation, we are now taking the necessary steps to avoid any further incidents.”

The Express reported the court heard many of Phillips’ victims were in low-paid jobs, some with only limited English and no knowledge of the UK's pay and legal systems.

According to prosecutor Heather Chamberlin, Phillips was caught out while on maternity leave when one worker complained of being owed £3.5k in holiday pay.

Phillips admitted a charge of fraud.

An audit carried out by a manager at the firm revealed Phillips had made 52 illicit payments owed to 41 workers into her own bank or savings accounts, totalling £19,505.

As well as jailing her, the judge made an order under the Proceeds of Crime Act to confiscate £20,484 from Phillips – all the embezzled money plus interest.

She has been given three months to pay or face 12 further months in prison.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Phillips joined Spring Personnel in Stafford in 2008 and was promoted to manager the following year before leaving the firm in August 2013.

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