EMPLOYEES of a Kent recruitment firm turned up to work only to be told “go home, you don’t have a job any more”.

The nine members of staff at Instant Muscle Ltd in New Road, Chatham, have been let go without notice when the registered charity went into administration.

The workers realised something was wrong when their wages weren’t paid into their accounts on February 27, but head office told them to stay at work and that all would be revealed later that day.

London administrators Smith and Williamson then sent a team to the office to inform staff the company had gone into administration before handing out envelopes containing official redundancy notices.

An employee, who did not wish to be named, said: “It came as a complete shock. We were told to pick up our gear, hand over any keys and mobile phones, and go.

“There was tears and anger. We haven’t been paid for February’s work and we have families to support and mortgages to pay.”

In total, the company has closed 30 offices across the country, leaving more than 200 people out of work.

Instant Muscle was established in 1981 as a charity providing recruitment and training. It works with Jobcentre Plus and its clients include government departments, local authorities, and the NHS.

The anonymous employee added: “A couple of people are currently working in the offices chasing money but they’re in a catch 22 situation.

“They can’t sign on because although they aren’t getting paid for the work they’re doing, they’re still employed by the company.”

Bob Marshall-Andrews, MP for Medway, said: “If these people have been made redundant then they’re entitled to redundancy pay, and if they’ve not been made redundant then they’re entitled to be paid.

“I suggest employees contact my office on 01634 814687.”

A spokesman for administrators Smith and Williamson said the staff could make claims for unpaid salaries and other payments in lieu of notice, and that current timescales for payment by the Redundancy Payments Service is three to six weeks.

He added: “We are in discussions with interested parties to explore the possibility of reactivating some of Instant Muscle’s existing contracts.

“However it is too early to say whether these discussions will bear fruit.”