British Gas staff ‘paid bonuses if they inflate customers’ bills by 60%’

[SSM UK – After scandalous allegations emerged this weekend that British Gas has been incentivising staff to rip-off customers, we ask:  Can they interest you in a ‘free’ Smart Meter?]

• British Gas staff ‘paid bonuses tripling their £25,000 salaries if they inflate customers’ bills by 60% by targeting charities and small businesses’
• Whistleblower revealed staff are encouraged to sell most expensive deals
• Employees told they can triple £25,000 salary through commission
• Churches and charities including the Scouts among those targeted
• Some organisations have ended up £2,000 a year worse off as a result
• Words ‘volume to value’ written on walls of company’s call centre
• Energy regulator Ofgem vowed to take ‘firm action’ if it finds British Gas has not been ‘honest and transparent’ with customers
• British Gas say they ‘strongly refute’ any inappropriate negotiations

British Gas is paying staff bonuses to inflate customers’ bills by up to 60 per cent, a whistleblower has claimed.

The former employee said he felt ‘disgusted’ by the policy, which encouraged staff to target charities and small businesses and sell them the most expensive deals possible.

Employees were told they could triple their £25,000 salary through commission if they sold the highest-priced tariffs to enough customers.

Churches and charities – including the Scouts – were among those targeted by the policy, the whistleblower said, with some organisations ending up £2,000 a year worse off.

Last night, energy regulator Ofgem said it would examine the evidence uncovered by the Mail and take ‘firm action’ if it found British Gas had not been ‘honest and transparent’ with its customers.

The former sales worker, who asked not to be named, said he witnessed sales agents on a ‘regular basis’ signing up churches and charities to long-term contracts at the maximum price in order to earn a higher salary.