Asos accused of playing Russian roulette in Yorkshire warehouse

​The GMB Union said: "The situation at Asos is disgusting – thousands of people under one roof, not enforcing social distancing.

"The fast fashion giant, which has decided to stay open despite Government advice, has up to 4,000 people at its warehouse in Grimethorpe, Barnsley.

"Workers report no social distancing measures, a complicated clocking in system which means large numbers of people gather in a small area, and hundreds of workers all breaking for lunch at the same time."

The union said staff working in the warehouse feel Government guidelines with regards to PPE and social distancing are being ​"​completely ignored​"​.

It said one worker had told the GMB: “It'll be like a domino effect. If one gets it, we'll all get it and people will lose their lives.​"​

Another said: “They are playing roulette with people’s lives.”

A third added: “I’m currently in isolation as I live with someone who is high risk. However, because I have been told I am not sick myself I will not be entitled to sick pay. So I’m currently off work unpaid.”

Deanne Ferguson, GMB organiser, said: “The situation at ASOS is disgusting – thousands of people under one roof, not enforcing social distancing.

“It looks exactly like a hot​ ​bed of infection – and workers are very scared.

“Asos needs to put people before profits and make sure workers are the are distance apart and paid properly if they need to take time off.

“Anything else is putting unnecessary lives at risk.”

Stephanie Peacock, MP for Barnsley East, said: "I have spoken to a number of concerned workers employed at the Asos warehouse in Grimethorpe who feel that their health is being put before profit in this national crisis.

“It is imperative that we all do our bit to stop the spread of coronavirus, saving future lives.

“Asos employs more than 4000 workers in the UK. They shouldn't have to put theirs and their family’s well-being on the line for a paycheck.

“I have written to the CEO expressing my concern and will do all I can to make sure workers across Barnsley East are able to do their jobs in safe conditions.

“We should treat workers in London and the North the same."

A spokesperson for Asos said: "We totally refute the allegations made by the GMB this morning.

"They are false, do nothing more than serve to create panic and hysteria in an already uncertain time, and are part of a continuing campaign against us and the recognised union on site, Community.

"It is simply not true to say we don’t have social distancing protocols in place and it is not true to say that we have thousands of employees working under one roof. The reality is we typically have around 500 colleagues working in our 680,000 square feet facility at any one time and we have strict social distancing protocols in place but, it must be said, it is also our colleagues’ responsibility to adhere to them.

"As directed by the Government, we, along with other online retailers, are ensuring we are striking the right balance between keeping our warehouse operational, for the good of our employees and the wider economy, and maintaining the health and safety of staff, which is always our number one priority.”