However, one store in Bolton has taken on 21 placements since last August, according to information provided in response to a freedom of information request by the Boycott Workfare pressure group. Poundland , the UK department store , has been accused of employing unpaid jobseekers for up to two years under the government ’s Jobcentre Plus initiative . The scheme was designed to provide work experience , but participants told The Guardian that they spent up to 30 hours a week stacking shelves . All participants interviewed by the paper claimed they had been told they needed to complete work experience by a jobcentre “ work coach ” . In 2013 , graduate Sarah Reilly brought a case against the company claiming that it was unlawful to force her to work without pay at Poundland in order to claim jobseeker ’s allowance .
Poundland , the UK department store , has been accused of employing unpaid jobseekers for up to two years under the government ’s Jobcentre Plus initiative . The scheme was designed to provide work experience , but participants told The Guardian that they spent up to 30 hours a week stacking shelves . All participants interviewed by the paper claimed they had been told they needed to complete work experience by a jobcentre “ work coach ” . In 2013 , graduate Sarah Reilly brought a case against the company claiming that it was unlawful to force her to work without pay at Poundland in order to claim jobseeker ’s allowance .