A BURNLEY firm has hit back at claims of unfair working practices revealed in an undercover TV programme.

But unions taking part in Channel 4’s Dispatches last night condemned the findings at fashion giant Boohoo.

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One whistleblower, an ex-team leader called Kieron Hardman, who worked at the Heasandford operation for two years, outlined a controversial ‘three strikes’ policy for agency staff, including docked pay for being a minute late and 12-hour working days.

Mr Hardman claimed agency workers could even earn a strike for ‘smiling’ at inappropriate moments.

An undercover reporter for the programme also said he was searched 20 per cent of the time, on ending his shift, and 40 per cent of the time after toilet breaks.

Boohoo employs 1,642 at its Widow Hill Road factory, and late last year the Lancashire Telegraph revealed the firm wanted to build an extension which would take its workforce to 2,686, making it the town’s largest private sector employer.

Mr Hardman, who was first employed by the Tailored Recruitment Solutions (TRS) agency, told the programme: “We start at 6am, finish at 6pm, 12-hour shifts, three on three off.

“We have a mixture of Boohoo staff, who are on permanent contracts, and agency staff.

“If you work for TRS, if you receive three strikes for anything, okay that will be the end of your employment at Boohoo.”

He estimated staff would be required to walk between 20 and 25 miles per day, around the sprawling factory, to fulfill orders.

However in a statement to the programme makers, the company said it was ‘disappointed’ some people still referred to ‘strikes’ as the company no longer recognised the term as part of its present employment practices.

The company said it only inspected 30 per cent of its workforce, regarding breaks, and was attempting to reduce that figure.

The average daily walking distance for employees was also only around seven miles.

A spokesman told the programme: “All full-time employees are paid at least the national living wage, regardless of age.”

Yesterday no-one from the company was available.

Bosses at TRS also told the programme’s producers they were unaware agency staff were being placed under undue pressure.

Last night’s programme was the second in a two-part investigation into aspects of the fashion industry.

In the first episode Boohoo came under fire after apparently using a Leicester-based contractor called United Creations, where an undercover reporter was paid £3.25, less than half the living wage, for a packing job.

The firm told producers it had a ‘demanding set of policies’ for its suppliers and would now be carrying out unannounced audits on contractors in future.

Burnley Council leader Cllr Mark Townsend, following the first programme, tweeted: “Disgusted by what has been revealed by CH4 Dispatches.

“Goods made by exploited workers on less than £4/hour have no place in Burnley.”

As part of last night’s programme, Frances O’Grady, Trades Union Congress general secretary, said: “This is the kind of ‘new normal’ at work.

“The problems is there, perhaps it’s always been there. But I think what’s clear is that the problem is getting much bigger.

“The government should be piling in. It’s got inspectors who should be looking at these work places and calling those employers to account.”