A JOB advert looking for workers at the B&Q distribution depot near South Marston has been withdrawn after it said applicants would not be paid for a mandatory course.

Initially appearing with a Newport-based recruiter, the call for order-pickers said completion of an induction course was required and those taking part would not receive any remuneration.

Successful applicants would also need to pay £15 for a drug test, although this would be paid back if they passed.

The job advert, which offered pay of between £7.50 and £8 depending on the time of day, has since been taken down.

It read: “Each candidate will undergo three-day induction programme which will be unpaid.”

B&Q says it had no prior knowledge of the advert and making its employees work without pay goes against the company’s policy.

Management of the Highworth Road depot is carried out by Chippenham-based company Wincanton, who used a recruitment agency to advertise the job.

The two companies have now said they will work to ensure the full policy is adhered to in the future.

A B&Q spokesperson said: “Our Swindon distribution centre is managed by a third party, Wincanton, which works with a number of recruitment agencies.

“We were unaware of this advert and are very concerned to hear of these recruitment practices.

“The terms and conditions referenced in the advert in no way reflect B&Q’s policy for third parties.

“We have instructed Wincanton to have this advert removed immediately and are working with them to ensure our standard employment policy is followed for payment and recruitment of staff.”

It is not clear whether any workers have so far had to take do one of the training courses without payment.

The wording of the advert also suggests the course would have been required before a formal job offer was made.

Since the revelation came to light, Wincanton has said it is reviewing all the recruitment agencies it works with to ensure no similar adverts are put up in the future.

A Wincanton spokesperson said: “Wincanton manages B&Q’s Swindon distribution centre. The advert was created by a recruitment agency without our authorisation and has now been removed.

“We have now ensured that our standard employment policy is being followed for payment and recruitment of staff and have initiated a formal review of all recruitment agencies that we work with.”

B&Q is currently the subject of another petition calling on it to reject plans to lower weekend and bank holiday pay rates following the introduction of the Government’s Living Wage.