"Next shop workers win six-year battle for equal pay in landmark case"

Shop workers at Next have won a six-year legal fight for equal pay in a landmark case that could force the retailer to pay more than £30m in compensation and bolster similar claims lodged against the big UK supermarkets.

The employment tribunal ruling will benefit 3,540 claimants, who accused Next of paying its retail sales staff – who are overwhelmingly female – lower hourly wages than its warehouse workers, the majority of which are male.

Next – which has 466 stores across the UK – had argued that the difference in pay for the two roles was based on the “market rate” for each position, and reflected the need to recruit and retain 24/7 staffing of warehouses, including for night shifts, Sundays and public holidays. The retailer said pay levels had been set in a way to ensure the “viability” of the business.

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The tribunal will decide on compensation and back pay, which could extend up to six years. Hourly pay will also be equalised in the current contract, and staff will also be handed paid rest breaks, and equal pay for Sunday, night time and overtime shifts, in line with those offered to warehouse staff.

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Next said it plans to appeal against the ruling. “In respect of the specific terms in which the claim succeeded, it is our intention to appeal. This is the first equal pay group action in the private sector to reach a decision at tribunal level and raises a number of important points of legal principle”, the retailer said in a statement.

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More than 112,000 store staff are bringing “similar equal pay claims” against Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Co-op, through Leigh Day ...