There’s a lot of chatter on forums like Reddit about the supermarket equal pay claims. And it’s brilliant to see so many people interested. But we’ve also spotted a bit of confusion.
So, let’s clear things up.
If you’ve worked in a UK supermarket and think you’re owed backpay as part of an equal pay claim against the likes of Tesco, Asda, Morrisons or Sainsbury’s, you won’t get a payout automatically if the case wins.
To receive compensation, you must register to be included in a group action claim.
What is the Supermarket equal pay claim about?
The supermarket equal pay claims are about fairness – making sure that shop floor workers are paid the same as their warehouse colleagues when they do work of “equal value”. Employers often justify the wage gap by claiming warehouse jobs are tougher and deserve higher pay. But – according to some lawyers – this argument doesn’t hold up. We explained why “warehouse work is harder” isn’t a legal excuse for unequal pay in a recent article.
If the legal fight for equal pay is successful, it could result in thousands of store workers receiving years of backpay. In some cases, lawyers believe they could be owed as much as £30,000. But compensation is not automatic. Only the people who sign up are part of the claim. If you don’t register, you won’t be included.
Opt-in vs opt-out: Why supermarket workers won’t get a blanket payout
In England and Wales, most group actions – including the supermarket equal pay claims – require individuals to actively join the claim. This is known as an opt-in system (as opposed to class actions in the US, which are often opt-out).
Opt-in group actions rely on individuals coming forward and saying, “Yes, I want in.” That’s what gives lawyers the green light to fight on your behalf.
We’ve seen comments like “I used to work at Tesco, so I’ll get something if they win” or “They’ll sort it out for all staff” It’s an easy mistake to make, but unfortunately, it’s not how it works. If a person doesn’t opt-in by registering with the law firm, they are not a party to the legal action and will not receive compensation, even if the claim is successful.
Supermarket equal pay claims: backpay vs future pay
If the claims succeed, the supermarkets may change their pay structures as a result. This means you could benefit from fairer wages going forward, whether or not you joined the claim. But that’s about future pay. It doesn’t cover backpay for the years you were underpaid. That part only comes if you register and are part of a group action.
The bottom line: If you want compensation for the money you should have earned in the past, you need to sign up.
Could supermarkets offer their own compensation schemes?
It’s possible that, if a claim is successful, supermarkets could launch their own internal compensation schemes. This has happened in other types of group claims in the past.
These schemes are often set up to encourage workers to accept a one-off payment directly from the company, rather than pursuing compensation through a group action. But these internal schemes may offer less than you would have received through a solicitor.
For example, after the UK Supreme Court ruled that Uber drivers should be classified as workers and entitled to benefits like holiday pay, Uber set up an online portal for drivers to claim compensation directly. While this seemed convenient, many drivers later discovered that those who used Uber’s portal received significantly less compensation compared to drivers who pursued claims through solicitors, some of whom received up to ten times more.
Uber drivers said they felt “misled” and “shafted” by their employer. And, to make matters worse, they weren’t able to challenge the payout as they relinquished the right to pursue any additional claims related to the issue.
What to do if you’re eligible
If you’ve worked in a supermarket like Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s or Morrisons, you could be owed thousands. But you need to act.
Check your eligibility and register your interest through a trusted route like Join the Claim. It’s quick, secure and free to join. And you’ll be connected to a regulated UK law firm that’s already working on this exact issue – all on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Join a Supermarket equal pay compensation claim
Don’t miss out because you assumed you were automatically included. If you want your fair share, you need to join the claim.
