They were also asked to return to work today on reduced pay, according to The Guardian. However, the retailer changed its position after the publication of the story.

Employees told the newspaper that they had been asked to volunteer to go into shops for one day a week since the furlough took effect last month.

Two managers told the newspaper that they were told not to clock on when working in shops while on furlough, which would appear to break the scheme’s rules. They claimed to have been asked to pack stock in the branch for it to be returned to the warehouse and sold online.