The Morrisons equal pay claim is one of several major equal pay cases currently affecting the UK supermarket sector.
The claim alleges that some Morrisons store workers may have been paid less than distribution centre employees doing work of equal value. Morrisons disputes the allegations.
With the case continuing to move through the legal process, many current and former workers are asking what the claim is about and whether it could be relevant to them.
What is the Morrisons equal pay claim about?
Equal pay law allows workers to bring claims where they believe they have not received equal pay for equal work or work of equal value.
The Morrisons claim centres on allegations that store workers have been paid less than colleagues working in distribution centres, despite the roles being of equal value.
Many of the legal arguments focus on the fact that store roles have traditionally been carried out predominantly by women, while distribution centre roles have historically been carried out predominantly by men.
Claimant lawyers argue that the pay difference cannot be justified.
What has happened in the case so far?
The litigation has been progressing through a number of legal stages.
One significant development came when an Employment Tribunal rejected arguments that store workers could not compare themselves to distribution centre workers because of differences in employment terms across individual sites.
The Tribunal allowed the comparison to proceed, meaning the case could continue to the next stage.
More recently, agreed job descriptions for store and distribution centre roles have been established, allowing independent experts to assess the work carried out by employees and whether the roles can properly be considered work of equal value.
Why does the comparison between stores and distribution centres matter?
Equal pay claims often depend on whether two different roles can be compared.
In the Morrisons litigation, claimants argue that store workers and distribution centre workers perform work that requires comparable levels of skill, effort and responsibility.
The legal process is examining whether that comparison is valid and, if so, whether any pay differences can be justified.
Who may be affected by the claim?
The claim may be relevant to you if:
- You currently work as an hourly-paid Morrisons store worker; or
- You worked as an hourly-paid Morrisons store worker within the last six years.
Both current and former employees may potentially be affected.
The claim is not limited to women. Men working in eligible store-based roles may also have an interest in the litigation.
Does Morrisons have to treat workers fairly if they get involved?
Yes. It is unlawful for an employer to treat someone unfairly because they have exercised their legal rights or brought an equal pay claim.
Anyone concerned about their position should seek independent legal advice before making any decisions.
Can I be affected if I no longer work at Morrisons?
Potentially, yes. Former employees may still be interested in the claim depending on their employment history and individual circumstances.
What about other supermarket equal pay claims?
Morrisons is not the only supermarket facing equal pay litigation. Similar claims have also been brought against Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Co-op.
Each case is separate and depends on the facts relating to that employer. So, developments in one claim do not automatically determine the outcome of another.
Because equal pay claims are brought against individual employers, someone who has worked for more than one supermarket may wish to explore whether multiple claims are relevant to their circumstances.
Where can I find the latest developments?
If you think the Morrisons equal pay claim may be relevant to you, visit our dedicated Morrisons equal pay claim page for the latest updates and information.
We’ll continue to monitor the case and report on any significant developments as they happen.
Join the Claim connects consumers with SRA-regulated lawyers. Visit the claim page to check your eligibility if a claim is open with one of our trusted legal partners. If a group action has not yet been launched, you can register your interest and we’ll keep you informed if a partner firm decides to take a claim forward.
