Five things you need to know about supermarket equal pay claims

It could be one of the biggest scandals to hit the UK retail industry, but many people still do not know it is happening.

Supermarket equal pay claims affect hundreds of thousands of current and former store workers. These people could be owed billions of pounds in back pay.

At the centre is a simple question: were shopfloor workers (who are more often women) paid less than warehouse and distribution centre workers (who are more often men) for work of equal value?

Equal pay law says different jobs can still deserve equal pay if they involve similar levels of skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions.

The claims involve major supermarkets including Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and Sainsbury's. Yet many eligible workers still do not realise they may be able to join.

Here are five things many people do not realise.

1. The pay gap could be up to £3 per hour

A few pounds an hour may not sound like much at first. But supermarket equal pay claims are about alleged hourly pay gaps of up to £3 per hour between store workers and warehouse or distribution centre workers.

For someone working 25 hours a week:

• £1 per hour = £25 a week
• £2 per hour = £50 a week
• £3 per hour = £75 a week

Over time, that becomes a potentially life changing amount of money.

2. It could mean up to £23,400 over six years

Store workers may be able to claim up to six years of back pay, depending on their circumstances. At 25 hours a week, a £1 to £3 hourly gap could add up to roughly:

• £7,800 to £23,400 over six years

That is before any deductions, interest, pension impact or other adjustments.

For someone working full time, the figure could be higher. A £3 hourly gap over a 37.5-hour week could add up to around:

• £35,100 over six years

This is not a bonus or a windfall. If a claim succeeds, it is money workers should have received in the first place.

3. Hundreds of thousands of supermarket workers could be eligible

These claims are not small, isolated disputes.

We believe hundreds of thousands of current and former supermarket workers could be eligible to bring equal pay claims.

Some estimates suggest nearly 600,000 supermarket workers could potentially be entitled to bring claims.

That includes people who may have left a supermarket years ago and do not realise they can still check whether they are eligible.

4. Many eligible workers have not joined yet

Tens of thousands of supermarket store workers have already started legal action.

But that may still be far lower than the number of people who could be eligible to claim.

Many current and former store workers may not know the claims exist.

Others may assume they do not qualify, feel unsure about the legal process, or worry about joining while they still work for a supermarket.

5. Many women may still not be coming forward

These claims mainly concern store roles, many of which are held by women, compared with warehouse and distribution centre roles, many of which are held by men.

Yet wider research on group claims suggests women may be less likely to take part in legal action than men.

One 2025 report found that among people who had sought compensation through a legal process and taken part in a class action, 66% were men and only 34% were women.

That matters because supermarket equal pay claims are about work that may have been undervalued because it was mainly done by women.

If eligible workers do not hear about the claim, do not trust the process, or feel nervous about joining, they may miss out on money they are owed.

Why checking matters

Many workers do not need every payslip or every answer before they start. The first step is simply to check whether they may be eligible.

You may be able to join if:

• you worked in-store for Tesco, Morrisons, Asda or Sainsbury's
• you were paid by the hour
• you worked there in the last six years
• you are a current or former worker

Men may also be eligible. You do not need to be in a union. You do not need to be certain you have a claim before checking.

The sooner you check, the sooner you can protect your position

If you are eligible but do not take action, you may not recover any money.

The sooner you check whether you can join, the sooner you can protect your position. Waiting could mean losing out on back pay over time.

Supermarket equal pay claims are about fair pay, recognition and accountability.

If you worked in-store for Tesco, Morrisons, Asda or Sainsbury's, it may be worth checking whether you could claim.