HR and legal professionals say the retailer could also spark health and safety concerns should it go ahead with using agency workers to replace striking staff
Luxury department store Harrods has confirmed it will consider using agency staff to replace workers if they go ahead with industrial action, making it the first employer to threaten such a move after a new break law came into place.
One-hundred-and-fifty Harrods employees are currently balloting for a potential strike over pay. Workers union Unite explained that the retailer's offer of a five per cent increase was a real-term pay cut, with RPI inflation at 11.8 per cent.
It comes after the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2022, which came into force last month, made it legal for employers to hire temporary staff to replace striking workers.
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In a statement, Harrods said it was “vital that we continue to provide the experience that our loyal customers deserve, as well as ensuring the highest levels of safety for our colleagues, and this means ensuring we are properly staffed at all times”.
It added that while engaging temporary workers if industrial action occurs is an option, “this is certainly not our preferred...
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