Standard Life is also calling for this.
Advertisement
The move comes despite measures taken to combat the damaging flow of scandals engulfing the company, which has been accused by MPs of creating “Victorian workhouse” conditions and paying employees less than the minimum wage.
He said there also needed to be more transparency from the unions if they were to begin working together more closely.
Ashley’s temper appeared to fray as he said: “It’s your fault we’re in this mess”, and claimed his company was trying to turn round working conditions.
However, the former West Yorkshire Police chief constable said at Sports Direct’s AGM on Wednesday that he would remain in the role after the board unanimously backed him to continue and assist in further improvements.
Hellawell told the meeting, held at Shirebrook, he would step down next year if he did not receive the backing of independent investors.
Another shareholder advisory group, Pensions and Investment Research Consultants (Pirc), has advised investors to vote against the re-election of Mr Hellawell and Mr Ashley, who is executive deputy chairman.
Bosses also revealed underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization should come in at around £300m for the 2017 financial year.
“I am a man who gets some things very right and other things very wrong”, he said.
Ashley has recently ditched the “six strikes and you’re out” policy that saw staff fired for a series of minor infractions such as talking to colleagues or being late. According to the report, there have been repeated ambulance calls to the Shirebrook warehouse.
According to a report released today, Sports Direct will offer staff a contract guaranteeing them at least 12 hours work a week.
“As Sports Direct expand their outlets across Northern Ireland, Unite will seek to work constructively with management to ensure it stays true to its promise to restore dignity and respect to its workers”.
Recent revelations that an obscure company controlled by Ashley’s brother is employed to handle Sports Direct’s overseas deliveries have served to heighten governance concerns at the group.
It’s hard to see how, if he is still in place this time next year, Mr Hellawell will have changed their minds between now and then.
His position was expected to come under pressure in a potential shareholder revolt against its founder, billionaire tycoon and Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, in the wake of the report commissioned by the company which found “serious shortcomings” at its warehouse in Shirebrook, Derbyshire.
Sports Direct has commissioned a second review of working practices to monitor progress of the implementation of commitments outlined in the report.
Advertisement
Shareholder Hermes also said it would vote against the reappointment of Mr Hellawell.
