An undercover reporter from Channel 4’s Dispatches team has uncovered unpaid working hours and unhygienic cleaning practices at the London Bridge branch of Premier Inn.

Dispatches’ undercover reporter went through three days of paid training with international service provider ISS before joining the London Bridge Premier Inn housekeeping team in December 2017.

Cleaners were set the target of cleaning the equivalent of three rooms per hour across their shift, no matter the size or dirtiness of each room. In order to meet these targets, covert filming revealed unhygienic cleaning practices from staff working at the hotel, which contradicted ISS’ training.

Instead of using different cloths for the toilet, bath and sink areas of a bathroom in order to maintain hygiene, the reporter was repeatedly told by other cleaners she should use a single used guest towel to clean all bathroom surfaces and appliances in order to save time. The reporter was admonished for sticking with the hygienic method, as it slowed her down.

The documentary also showed footage of ISS contractors being told they have to sign to confirm they have taken a 30-minute break at the start of their shifts, even if their workload prevents them from actually taking it. Workers would also be unpaid for any overtime spent meeting daily cleaning targets.

The hotel’s head housekeeper even informed the undercover reporter that she had to report into work an hour before her shift started to attend a daily briefing and prepare her cleaning trolley, and would not be paid for this extra time either.

The London Bridge hotel on Borough High Street is one of a small number of Premier Inns serviced by cleaning contractor ISS in London and the South East. Both ISS and Premier Inn have announced investigations into the allegations.