Sports Direct has announced that it will now pay its staff more than the minimum wage, following a barrage of accusations from across the business world. The new pay rates will come into play in the next few days.
Mike Ashley, the turbulent owner of the firm, said it would cost £10m a year to enforce. Nevertheless trade union Unite branded the move as politically motivated after ‘gulag’ working conditions were exposed in the companies warehouse in a television documentary.
Resposibility
“We have a responsibility to set a high moral standard,” said Mike Ashley in an interview in the Daily Mirror.
“I want to see Sports Direct become the best High Street retail employer after John Lewis,” he said.
Living wage
In the interview Ashley went on to say that workers over 21 will now earn “around” £6.85 an hour.
When the new National Living Wage of £7.20 comes into effect in April 2016, staff over 21 will earn £7.35.
Robert joined the HRreview editorial team in October 2015. After graduating from the University of Salford in 2009 with a BA in Politics, Robert has spent several years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past he has been part of editorial teams at Flux Magazine, Mondo*Arc Magazine and The Marine Professional.