CALLS to boycott retailer Urban Outfitters have been raised after a report revealed the company is using an app to hire “freelance” staff and avoid employment law.
It was revealed by the Guardian yesterday that a number of popular retailers have been using an app to quickly hire shop assistants during the festive period.
The app in question, YoungOnes, requires staff to reapply for shifts each day and is promoted by influencers.
However, unions have accused retailers of subverting employment law around zero hours contracts with the apps.
Urban Outfitters in Edinburgh are among the offenders with locals calling for a boycott of the store following the discovery.
Staff working at the store through the app reportedly have little employment rights – and whilst paid a fair wage of £12 an hour, their job security, employment status, national insurance and income tax status is left in question.
Workers using the app are deemed under law to be their own boss and are therefore not protected by employment law, with Urban Outfitters in Edinburgh having no obligations to the “freelance” shop assistants.
A post to social media yesterday by an Edinburgh local called on others to boycott the store over the revelations.
It reads: “Boycott Urban Outfitters, their Edinburgh branch is using ‘freelance’ shop assistants over Christmas who have no employment rights.”
It has received over 770 likes and more than 90 comments from social media users and Edinburgh locals.
One user wrote: “Someone came up with this idea. They know that some people are desperate and need a job.
“Then they proposed that idea to other people, executives earning probably six figure sums and they approved this idea.
“And probably someone (sic) got a bonus for the cost savings.”
Another replied: “Misclassifying employees as contractors when they don’t get to set their own hours or decide when, where, how they do their work, can be challenged and won at tribunal.”
A third wrote: “That’s not employment, that’s a disgrace that violates fundamental human needs in a job. It has no place here in the UK. Shut them down.”
Another commented: “Why would someone go there in the first instance?”
A fifth added: “You know most shops take on Christmas temps as and when they need them? Most of the time it’s students etc. who just want some extra cash.”
Urban Outfitters has been contacted for comment.
