 Reed would go on to approve the experiment; the scheme began in May 2000 and by November of the same year over 2000 rival firms had registered on the site.Reed would go on to credit the idea as being the foundation of the firm's online strategy; the junior staff member was paid a £100,000 bonus for his suggestion.Reed regularly comments in the media on employment issues, including apprenticeships, automation, zero-hours contracts, workplace skills, employee engagement, taxation reform for family businesses and jobs for prisoners and ex-prisoners.