Poundland, the UK discount store, has been accused of employing unpaid jobseekers for up to two months under the government’s Jobcentre Plus initiative. The Guardian reported that a number of workers had worked at the store in Croydon, south London, since last year and were paid less than £6.50 an hour. 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 Cait Reilly won a case against the government arguing that it was unlawful to force her to work without pay at Poundland in order to claim jobseeker’s allowance.
Poundland, the UK discount store, has been accused of employing unpaid jobseekers for up to two months 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 Cait Reilly won a case against the government arguing that it was unlawful to force her to work without pay at Poundland in order to claim jobseeker’s allowance.