// Boohoo under fire for forcing workers to walk the equivalent of a half-marathon per shift
// Staff fulfilling online orders at the retailer’s warehouse in Lancashire label themselves “slaves”
Boohoo has responded to claims that its Lancashire warehouse workers are being forced to walk the equivalent of a half-marathon per shift where night-time temperatures can reach 32C.
Staff fulfilling online orders at the retailer’s warehouse in Lancashire label themselves “slaves” and have complained of racism, sexual harassment, gruelling targets, inadequate training and ill-fitting safety equipment, The Times reported.
The fast fashion retailer said it is taking every claim very seriously, but “does not believe the picture painted is reflective of the working environment at the Burnley warehouse”.
“Making sure our people are safe and comfortable in their workplace is our highest priority. That is why more and more of our colleagues are choosing to stay here for longer, with our turnover rate continuing to fall year on year,” Boohoo said.
“We offer generous rates of pay, well over and above the National Living Wage, with additional benefits including subsidised private healthcare.”
The undercover investigation has found that the harsh conditions have led to workers collapsing in the aisles, with an ambulance called to the site once a month on average.
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In the run-up to Black Friday this week, the investigation raises new concerns about the workplace conditions endured by people directly employed by the company.
An undercover reporter from The Times found that Boohoo’s largely windowless distribution warehouse in Burnley in August and September recorded temperatures of up to 32C during a night shift – at a time when the outside temperature was just 19C.
The reporter walked up to 13 miles a shift, more than three times the average amount the company has previously claimed staff cover.
Staff complained they are treated as “fodder”, with managers timing their lavatory breaks and no allowances made for injuries they said they had suffered as a result of the manual work.
Pakistani workers were reportedly told by a white marshal to work in the hottest area of the warehouse while white staff were sent to a cooler area.
Workers also complained of instances of sexual harassment. In one case, an alleged victim of sexual assault who reported the incident was accused by a manager of lying.
Employees at the warehouse are paid £11 an hour for shifts of up to 12 hours during which they pick items ordered by customers from miles and miles of shelving across several floors.
They are constantly monitored via scanning devices worn on the arm which instruct workers where to go for the next item.
