AGOboss blames pumped upchairs
Chief operations manager Stephen Rafferty claimed workers at AGO could be breaking social distancing rules because they ‘had their chairs pumped up too high’.
Responding to questions whether shielding between desks covered workers, he said “maybe one, two heads if you’re lucky” stick out.
When asked to confirm if desks and chairs are between one and two metres apart, all day long, he replied, “some of them are”.
He said workers’ booths were “just above the metre” apart in some cases. He defended the distance saying people were “fully shielded”.
The waiver circulated to workers by AGO bosses has been withdrawn after the firm had their wrist slapped by SERCO.
It asked staff to sign a disclaimer that said: “I hereby understand there may be a risk to my health where there is a shortfall in the recommended two metre social distancing.
“I also agree any continuity to work under these conditions are purely my choice and I accept no liability lies with AGO.”
A government spokesman confirmed SERCO had suspended AGO from taking part in the helpline calls entirely, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The spokesman added: “We take these allegations extremely seriously and have asked our contractor to urgently investigate.
“We understand they have already asked AGO to withdraw the waiver. We set high standards for our contract providers which explicitly stipulate coronavirus workplace guidance must be followed at all times.”
Pay scandal call centre AGO Outsourcing has had its contract to offer shielding support to the UK Government pulled.
That’s after an investigation found staff were crammed into working conditions not compatible with social distancing.
We told you last month how the company had been sub-contracted by SERCO to contact people down south who should be protecting themselves in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. At that time, a number of sources raised concerns with the News about the working conditions, but these were rebuffed by AGO bosses.
In an effort to make the working environment safe, chief executive Kris McGenily told us he and fellow director Stephen Rafferty had headheight partitions installed between every desk at the office.
That was supposed to have been supported by increased cleaning in the office throughout the day. However, staff there have painted a very different picture.
The 200 National Shielding Helpline workers are said to have been seated less than two metres apart and were asked to sign a waiver, absolving the firm of any blame should staff get sick.
Labelled with AGO’s logo and mantra “ethics, positivity, passion, professionalism, respect,” it read: “Whilst we will work hard to ensure employees have all tools to protect themselves, AGO excludes liability for any detriment, deterioration in health or any claims that may arise due to the shortfall in the two metre recommended social distance.”
Boss Stephen Rafferty said this letter had been penned after legal advice and was in accordance with Scottish Government working guidelines.
One person who worked at the call centre claimed working conditions were “atrocious” and told colleagues at our sister paper, The Mirror, that most people took the job because they were “desperate for the money”.
The insider claimed “multiple people” had complained about working conditions, but many signed the waiver because they needed cash.
They added: “I’m spending all day on the phone to people that are obviously scared and vulnerable, saying don’t you go outside, keep your distance, you are not supposed to see family, you are not supposed to see friends.
“Quite a few people who took up a job have been desperate for money because they missed the government’s furlough scheme.”
Since October, the News has been contacted by around 40 members of staff complaining about AGO, with the majority concerned about outstanding payment, pensions and tax deductions.
Many staff claim they are still owed thousands of pounds by the firm, whose biggest contract until now had been Scottish Power.
But Mr McGenily – who, along with Mr Rafferty, laid off 20 members of staff just weeks before Christmas via email – denies the claims.
Worryingly, a number of staff have told us that HMRC have no tax payments from them for the duration of their contract with AGO.
One such former worker said: “HMRC told me there’s no record of me working for AGO.”
A pension scheme was also only set up by the company after the News repeatedly asked about why one was not in place. Another worker affected told us: “It’s a complete shambles – they don’t have a clue.”
When approached for more information on Monday, Mr McGenily said “no comment”.
Linda Fabiani MSP said she “understood the concerns” of those working to help others who ‘themselves may feel at risk’.
She added: “The UK Government and SERCO must make sure employers and employees carrying out essential work on their behalf are clear about the rules so that no-one is put at unnecessary risk. I note the suspension and hope that this situation is rectified soon.”