'Staff leaving in droves' claim denied

Hastings Direct, a multi-million pound call-handling centre, announced this week a recruitment drive to fill 150 new vacancies created by its rapid expansion.

But a former worker has claimed this is because staff have been leaving in droves since a change in the flexi-time system enjoyed by many part time workers.

Claire Day, marketing manager, at the Collington Avenue-based company, admitted some had left but denied it was anything like 200.

She said a recent review of its call-centre was made to introduce a more structured shift pattern for its part-timers and ensure the centre met the changing needs of the expanding business.

"All these employees were offered alternative contracts and efforts were made to ensure as many as possible stayed with the company," she said.

Over the last four months, she added, there had been a reduction of around 40 per cent of its part-time workforce, which makes up 17 per cent of its 750 employees.

"A large majority of these leavers are students returning to full time education," said Claire.

One former employee said she understood one of the reasons for the change was that the company had been losing money.