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Sports Direct forced to advertise zero-hours contract terms Sports Direct forced to advertise zero-hours contract terms
(8 months later)
Sports Direct will be forced to advertise the limited employment terms under its zero-hours contracts following legal action brought by a former employee.Sports Direct will be forced to advertise the limited employment terms under its zero-hours contracts following legal action brought by a former employee.
Under a settlement agreed before a tribunal due to be heard next month, the retailer will have to make clear in job adverts, contracts and staff rooms that it does not guarantee work, sick pay or holiday pay under the controversial terms under which nearly 90% of its staff are employed. Under a settlement agreed before a tribunal due to be heard next month, the retailer will have to make clear in job adverts, contracts and staff rooms that it does not guarantee work under the controversial terms under which nearly 90% of its staff are employed and produce clear written policies setting out what sick pay and paid holiday their zero hours staff are entitled to.
Zahera Gabriel-Abrahem, an ex-Sports Direct worker who was employed on a zero hours contract, claimed that part-time staff are treated less favourably than full-time employees at Sports Direct. She said: “The new job advertisements will mean that people will not find themselves in a situation where what you think are getting isn’t what you actually get.Zahera Gabriel-Abrahem, an ex-Sports Direct worker who was employed on a zero hours contract, claimed that part-time staff are treated less favourably than full-time employees at Sports Direct. She said: “The new job advertisements will mean that people will not find themselves in a situation where what you think are getting isn’t what you actually get.
“It was really important to me that these changes happened before the company’s Christmas recruitment round and that has been achieved.”“It was really important to me that these changes happened before the company’s Christmas recruitment round and that has been achieved.”
Gabriel-Abrahem left the retailer’s Croydon branch in July last year after suffering panic attacks, which she blamed on a lack of financial security as her contract offered no guaranteed work or income. Her legal action was backed by the financial support of more than 5,000 members of the campaign group 38 Degrees.Gabriel-Abrahem left the retailer’s Croydon branch in July last year after suffering panic attacks, which she blamed on a lack of financial security as her contract offered no guaranteed work or income. Her legal action was backed by the financial support of more than 5,000 members of the campaign group 38 Degrees.
The law firm Leigh Day, which represented Gabriel-Abrahem, said that while Sports Direct would continue to use zero-hours contracts, the public nature of its promises was important because it meant the company could be called to account if it did not make the terms they involved clear to workers.The law firm Leigh Day, which represented Gabriel-Abrahem, said that while Sports Direct would continue to use zero-hours contracts, the public nature of its promises was important because it meant the company could be called to account if it did not make the terms they involved clear to workers.
“Zero-hours workers are not second-class workers,” said Elizabeth George, a barrister at Leigh Day. “They have the right to be treated fairly and with respect. They have the right to take holidays and to be paid when they take them. They have the right to statutory sick pay. They have a right to request guaranteed hours.“Zero-hours workers are not second-class workers,” said Elizabeth George, a barrister at Leigh Day. “They have the right to be treated fairly and with respect. They have the right to take holidays and to be paid when they take them. They have the right to statutory sick pay. They have a right to request guaranteed hours.
“Sports Direct will now have to make that crystal clear to staff. By doing so the risk of those rights being ignored or misunderstood by managers will be significantly reduced in the future.”“Sports Direct will now have to make that crystal clear to staff. By doing so the risk of those rights being ignored or misunderstood by managers will be significantly reduced in the future.”
Sports Direct said that the settlement was made without admission of any liability whatsoever.Sports Direct said that the settlement was made without admission of any liability whatsoever.
“It was clear from the proceedings that we and Ms Gabriel-Abraham felt equally strongly about our respective positions and that each had different perceptions of the events that took place. The company will continue the process of reviewing, updating and improving our core employment documents and procedures across our entire business beyond its existing compliant framework,” Sports Direct said in a statement.“It was clear from the proceedings that we and Ms Gabriel-Abraham felt equally strongly about our respective positions and that each had different perceptions of the events that took place. The company will continue the process of reviewing, updating and improving our core employment documents and procedures across our entire business beyond its existing compliant framework,” Sports Direct said in a statement.
Sports Direct continues to face further legal action from zero-hours workers who were excluded from a multimillion-pound bonus scheme which was only handed to “permanent” workers. About 300 claims have now been gathered in a partnership between Leigh Day and workers’ rights group Pay Justice. The claim, expected to be filed early next year, could lead to a £4m-plus bill for Sports Direct and many of those taking part in the action continue to be employed by Sports Direct.Sports Direct continues to face further legal action from zero-hours workers who were excluded from a multimillion-pound bonus scheme which was only handed to “permanent” workers. About 300 claims have now been gathered in a partnership between Leigh Day and workers’ rights group Pay Justice. The claim, expected to be filed early next year, could lead to a £4m-plus bill for Sports Direct and many of those taking part in the action continue to be employed by Sports Direct.
Alison McGovern, the Labour MP who has campaigned against zero-hours terms said: “It’s hard to understand why Sports Direct are so determined not to give people regular hours. What have they got against people knowing what money they can expect at the end of the week?”Alison McGovern, the Labour MP who has campaigned against zero-hours terms said: “It’s hard to understand why Sports Direct are so determined not to give people regular hours. What have they got against people knowing what money they can expect at the end of the week?”
The Labour party has pledged to give greater rights to staff who have been on the contracts for longer than six months.The Labour party has pledged to give greater rights to staff who have been on the contracts for longer than six months.
The business secretary, Vince Cable, has warned “unscrupulous employers” that he plans to ban clauses in zero-hours contracts that prevent workers from accepting shifts with more than one employer.The business secretary, Vince Cable, has warned “unscrupulous employers” that he plans to ban clauses in zero-hours contracts that prevent workers from accepting shifts with more than one employer.
• This article was amended on 27 May 2015. An earlier version said Sports Direct would have to make clear that it did not guarantee sick pay or holiday pay to zero-hours workers. That has been amended to say it was required to produce clear written policies setting out what sick pay and paid holiday those workers were entitled to.