Can I join a supermarket equal pay claim if I still work there?

Yes. Current supermarket store workers may be able to join an equal pay claim.

The supermarket equal pay claim asks whether mostly female store workers were paid less than mostly male warehouse or distribution centre workers for work of equal value.

Many people worry about joining while they still work for Tesco, Morrisons, Asda or Sainsbury's. That is understandable. Nobody wants to feel they are putting their job, shifts or relationships at work at risk.

But asking whether you were paid fairly is not causing trouble. It is using your legal rights.

Can my employer treat me differently?

Your employer should not treat you unfairly because you have brought an equal pay claim or exercised your legal rights.

That means your employer should not punish, dismiss, discipline or treat you differently because you joined the claim.

If you still work for the supermarket, you can continue in your job while the claim is ongoing.

Will my colleagues know I have joined?

Many workers worry about privacy.

Your claim should be handled carefully and confidentially. Your colleagues should not be told that you have joined simply because you have made a claim.

If any information is needed from you, Harcus Parker will contact you.

Do I need to tell my manager?

No.

You do not have to tell your manager that you have joined the claim.

The first step is simply to see whether you may be able to join. You may be asked for basic information such as where you worked, your role, your dates of employment and your pay details.

Why current workers should not wait

If you are still working in-store, joining may help protect your position.

If the claim succeeds, you may be entitled to back pay for previous hours worked. You may also get interest based on the delay in paying you that money. The claim may also seek to improve your future hourly pay.

Waiting could mean losing out on back pay over time, because claims can usually only go back a limited number of years. You will also get less interest payments, and so miss out overall if you delay.

You are not alone

Thousands of supermarket store workers have already taken legal action.

Group claims allow ordinary workers to stand together, supported by specialist lawyers, rather than trying to take on a major supermarket alone.