A Hermes delivery driver quit his job after just two days because he had to spend 45 minutes a day sorting through parcels without pay, he claims.
Matt Solomons worked two shifts at Deliveries247, a company based in Greenford, North London, which is contracted by Hermes.
Sharing pictures of the depot online, the 23-year-old said parcels were left ‘everywhere,’ including on the damp ground, before being ‘stuffed’ into delivery vehicles.
Joining the company less than two weeks before Christmas, Mr Solomons said it took him 45 minutes to sort parcels into his vehicle – time he claims he was not paid for.
Parcels set to be delivered just days before Christmas were left lying on the damp ground outside Delivery247 – company contracted by Hermes – according to one courier who quit his job after just two days
He explained: ‘You take out your assigned round to your car, and you have to scan all these parcels and ideally order them so you can load up efficiently.
‘This takes about 30-45 minutes if not more and all of this is unpaid.
‘Each of those parcels is worth 50p and boxes are £1, so before you even deliver them you have to faff around sorting them.
‘For me at least, it seemed like a lot of unpaid work, and you want to do it as quickly as possible or else you’re literally losing time and money.
‘Plus obviously it’s not a great look when you have the parcels on the floor and you’re trying to stuff them in your car.’
The former courier claims he was not paid for his first shift on December 16, during which he delivered 20 parcels, because it counted towards his training.
Matt Solomons claims he was not paid for his first 20 deliveries, or for sorting out parcels for 45 minutes, during his two days working at a delivery service in Greenford, North London
The 23-year-old shared pictures of the sorting office online, with shocked social media users branding the images ‘despicable’
Speaking today, he said: ”Even though I delivered 20 parcels for them, some of them were for Hermes.
‘This means that had I not refused to deliver another hour’s worth on the first day, that round would also have been unpaid.
‘To me, they tried to cheat me into giving them free labour and that really sent me over.
‘I didn’t care about losing money, it was more the principle of trying to take advantage of me like that.’
After sharing images from the depot online on Tuesday, social media users were up in arms, as one person said the scenes were ‘diabolical’.
Another added: ‘One of the worst companies I’ve dealt with.’
And another joked: ‘Is that my next parcel that’s gone missing?’
Following contact from the press, Deliveries247 has confirmed Matt will be paid for his training shift.
However, the former courier expressed doubt over their motivation, he said: ‘The woman who hired me said that this is the big topic at the depot right now.
‘They didn’t like that I went public, rather than complaining internally, but I just wanted to share my experience.
‘They say that I will get paid for the first day, but this contradicts what my direct manager said.’
A spokeswoman for Deliveries247 said: ‘Once basic training has finished, drivers are then given the option to go live delivering up to 20 Parcels max, which Matt had agreed to do so.
‘At Deliveries247 we do not pressurise our drivers to do extra work, however, when Matt returned to the depot, he was given the option to deliver more parcels.
Deliveries247 has since confirmed that Mr Solomons will be paid for the 20 parcels he delivered, after initially refusing to pay him by claiming it was part of his training
‘I have looked through our deliveries inbox and cannot find any email from Matt Solomons regarding his resignation.
‘All parcels scanned and delivered under Matt Solomons driver number will be calculated, and payment will be made on Tuesday 12th January 2021 into the bank account he provided.
‘I have already discussed this with Matt earlier today who sincerely apologised for his behaviour towards Hermes/Deliveries247 code of conduct and had agreed to remove the post from social media.’
However, Matt says he only apologised for the ‘distress’ the post caused, and that it was removed against his will.
A spokeswoman for Hermes said: ‘Mr Solomons does not have a contract with Hermes, but he may have provided services for one of our self-employed couriers, who would be responsible for his payment and terms of business.
‘We are unable to comment further on any dispute between two independent parties. ‘