A BROMSGROVE company is among two agencies supplying workers for a major sports retailer's warehouse where it is claimed that some staff are "too scared" to take time off sick for fear of losing their jobs.

The BBC 1 Inside Out programme on Monday night revealed that ambulances were called to Sports Direct's warehouse in Shirebrook, Derbyshire, 76 times between January 2013 and last December, with 36 of the cases regarded as "life threatening".

It quoted staff saying they went into work even when they were ill because they were worried about being axed.

They blamed a "six strikes" policy in their contracts with agencies, including Best Connection, which has its headquarters in Topaz Way, Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, and Transline, based in West Yorkshire.

A "strike" could be imposed for long toilet breaks, excessive chatting or for having time off sick - and six in six months could lead to them losing their work, alleged Inside Out.

Asked about the claims made in the programme, a spokesman for Best Connection in Bromsgrove said: "We do not have any comment."

But Sports Direct has defended its employment policies, reportedly saying the Shirebrook warehouse staff employed by the two agencies had guaranteed hours of employment, with no "zero hours" contracts.

"The agencies operate a performance strike system," says the company's statement.

"Such systems are used across the industry for permanent and temporary staff.

"They are designed to be straightforward systems to ensure that all staff understand what is expected of them.

"The system, amongst other things, takes into consideration the member of staff’s time keeping, attendance, sickness, conduct and performance target levels.

"When a member of staff falls below the required standards, the reasons for this will be discussed (including any mitigation) and support and training will be provided to help the individual reach the targets expected of them.

"Where any member of staff continues to fail to reach these targets, a strike may be issued as a quarter, half or full strike."

The statement adds: "We take any allegation that we may have breached health and safety or employment regulations very seriously.

"Inside Out appears to have formed its allegations based upon the accusations of a handful of disgruntled ex-staff and hearsay, with many of the allegations made anonymously which makes properly investigating them impossible.

"Sports Direct aims to provide working conditions in compliance with applicable employment and health and safety legislation and seeks to provide safe working conditions for all staff working in our warehouse."

Among the claims made by Inside Out were that one worker, 52-year-old Guntars Zarins (correct), suffered a stroke at work in the warehouse because he was scared to call in sick.