DPD temporary workers may have missed out on sick pay and pensions, internal documents show

Low-paid temporary workers at DPD, a leading UK courier company, may have missed out on sick pay and pension contributions according to internal documents. These payments are typically included in the "charge rate" that large brands pay recruitment agencies to supply them with temporary workers. The absence of sick pay and pension contributions from DPD's internal spreadsheets suggests workers have either not been paid their entitlements, were discouraged from taking sick days, or were removed from roles before pension contributions became due.

Experts suggest that withholding these payments would breach employment law and contravene industry guidance. DPD's use of recruitment agencies as primary employers for temporary staff means that the agencies are responsible for paying statutory sick pay and auto-enrolment pension contributions. The courier company defends its practices, stating that its commercial arrangements with agencies allow them to fulfill statutory obligations and are benchmarked against competitors in the industry.