Coronavirus has made supermarket workers more aware of workplace issues, new data shows

Nine out of 10 supermarket shop floor workers are more aware of issues in the workplace such as equal pay after working on the frontline during the pandemic, according to a survey by law firm Leigh Day.

Leigh Day is the leading expert in UK group claims and represents more than 50,000 shop workers from Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons in one of the UK’s biggest equal pay cases.

A number of supermarket shop floor workers told Leigh Day that working during the pandemic made them feel unsafe, undervalued and unsupported. 

Hannah Thompson, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, has worked at a Sainsbury’s store in West Yorkshire for 10 years. 

She said:

“Working during the pandemic just makes you more aware of the problems there are at work. You don’t feel important or like Sainsbury’s think the work you do is essential even though we know it is. All that’s important is profit.

“It makes equal pay even more significant. Being paid what we’re worth would show us that Sainsbury’s appreciates the demands of our job and that it's just as valuable as the work warehouse staff do.”

Leigh Day’s ‘Strength in Numbers’ survey of nearly 6000 supermarket shop floor workers, also found that 78 percent would be less likely to make a claim against their employer if they were the only ones involved.

Nearly all supermarket workers (96 percent) said that knowing they were one of thousands involved in Leigh Day’s Equal Pay Now campaign, which is believed to be the biggest legal action in the private sector, made them feel more confident in bringing a claim against their employer.

Leigh Day believes the average worker could be entitled to in excess of £10,000 for up to six years’ back pay. Some may be entitled to as much as £25,000.

The difference in hourly pay for shop workers and those in a distribution centre can range between £1.50 to £4 an hour, which could mean a disparity in pay of many thousands of pounds.

Last month, thousands of Tesco shop floor workers won a legal argument in their fight for equal pay when the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that the 'single source' test applies to businesses in the UK.

This means a worker can compare their role with somebody working in a different establishment if a 'single source' has the power to correct the difference in pay.

The CJEU ruling follows a landmark judgment handed down by the Supreme Court saying that Asda shop floor workers can compare their roles to those of their colleagues in distribution centres for the purposes of equal pay.

Emma Satyamurti, a partner in Leigh Day’s employment team, said: 

“The pandemic has been an unsettling and stressful time for us all, but while we have navigated this unprecedented time, one of the things that has remained constant is the hard work of supermarket shop floor workers who put themselves at an increased risk to keep our fridges and cupboards stocked.

“It’s unsurprising that the extra stress they are under has made them even more aware of the disparity between their pay and that of their colleagues in distribution centres.

“Leigh Day understands that taking on a large company can be daunting but, as this survey shows, there is strength in numbers. It’s our hope that supermarket bosses will stop ignoring the voices of the tens of thousands of workers who say enough is enough.”

For more information or to join the claim visit equalpaynow.co.uk