Posh does U-turn on paying her staff

Victoria Beckham has backpedalled after a furious backlash about supporting her staff during the Covid-19 economic crisis

SHE’S used to taking flak. Over the years Victoria Beckham has been accused of not smiling enough, of not being able to sing very well, of being a workaholic, of being out of touch with reality, of flaunting her wealth – you name it, she’s taken the heat for it.

Recently Posh (46) was branded “shameless”, “disgusting” and “a freeloader” after she decided to furlough, or temporarily lay off, 30 of her staff at her fashion company, Victoria Beckham Ltd.

The employees were sent letters explaining they’d be paid 80% of their salaries for the foreseeable future by the UK government’s retention scheme benefit, initiated to help businesses battling to stay afloat due to the coronavirus crisis.

Cue public outrage. Taxpayers accused the fashion mogul of exploiting a state benefit while she and husband David (45) were worth a staggering £335 million (R7,5 billion). Making matters worse is the fact that the pair reportedly spent £17m (R382m) on a penthouse in Miami just last month.

“Really disappointed in Victoria Beckham,” one Twitter user said. “She’s a multi-millionaire who got where she is thanks to taxpaying loyal fans. Posh Spice, but definitely not classy.”

“If you can spend millions on an apartment in Miami and have a £1,5m [R33,7m] handbag collection, then you

can certainly afford to pay 30 people,” another ranted.

“The stinking rich really don’t get it, do they?” The Sun’s Rod Liddle wrote in a scathing opinion piece. “No self-awareness whatsoever – and even less shame.”

Posh’s public relations team advised her to hold back on posting pictures on Instagram which could be construed as insensitive. Since the lockdown Victoria has uploaded many a shot of her and the family doing lockdown-y things from the comfort of their £6,15m (R138m) retreat in the Cotswolds, characterised by rolling hills and wildflower meadows.

Victoria did as she was told – but she was soon back, albeit with a difference. She and the family have been helping pandemic- affected people in the Cotswolds, she revealed, and posted a video of dozens of white tote bags filled with care packages.

“Like so many volunteers, we’ve been supporting the elderly in our community,” Victoria wrote.

It barely mollified the rabid pack though – and then came the about-turn.

BARELY two weeks after the layoff announcement another statement was issued: the application for layoff funds had been reversed and all employees would be restored to their full-time roles.

“Our application was made in the best interests of trying to protect our staff, and that’s still our absolute focus,” a spokesperson at Victoria Beckham Ltd said. “We’re doing everything we can to ensure we can achieve that without using government assistance.”

Victoria told The Guardian the company won’t be drawing on the furlough scheme. “At the beginning of the lockdown the shareholders agreed to furlough a small proportion of staff. At that point we didn’t know how long the lockdown might last or its likely impact on the business. The welfare of my team and our business means everything to me.”

The company spokesman also said things may not have been done well.

“These are tough times and tough decisions and we don’t always get it right – all we can say is we’re trying to protect our business and our staff.”

The company denied the backlash prompted the reversal, but a source close to Posh says she was devastated by it all.

“The original decision to furlough wasn’t actually hers – it was more a board thing, and she was persuaded that it was the right thing to do. Obviously, she now realises this is wrong.”

Posh and Becks own 47% of the fashion label, with the majority owned by the board. “Victoria realises she still has some way to go when it comes to endearing herself again with the great British public,” the insider adds. “But she’s going to use her position and influence to start giving more back.” S