Asda faces mass legal action against unequal pay for women

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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U.K. second largest retailer Asda faces mass legal action against unequal pay for women by more than one thousand staff currently being employed in their stores.

The staff which mostly consists of female workers – claim despite the fact that their jobs are of “equal value” to male employees at Asda’s distribution centres who are taking higher pay.

The law firm Leigh Day, which is currently representing hundreds of former and current employees of the supermarket chain; say the pay gap can be as much as ﾣ4 an hour.

The claim is made on the basis of the fact that store employees also carry and lift products as part of their duties.

The law firm says it has already lodged nearly 1,500 employment tribunal claims on behalf of individuals – around 80% of whom are current staff and the rest former workers.

However, the employment lawyers have also told of being approached by more than 19,000 people following the announcement that they were spearheading the legal action.

In case Asda loses the legal row, claimants may be entitled to six years’ worth of back pay to compensate for the difference in earnings.

Yorkshire supermarket giant has also declared to “robustly defend” them against the legal action over equal pay row.

Asda, which employs 175,000 staff, has stated: “A firm of no win, no fee lawyers is hoping to challenge our award-winning reputation as an equal opportunities employer.

“We do not discriminate and are very proud of our record in this area which, if it comes to it, we will robustly defend.”

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