Next wins key appeal to overturn £30m equal pay ruling
Summary
Next won an appeal that lets it continue paying warehouse workers more per hour than shop floor staff, despite a previous ruling saying this was unfair. The Employment Appeal Tribunal agreed that higher pay for warehouse workers is justified due to difficulties in hiring and keeping these staff.Key Facts
- The Employment Appeal Tribunal overturned part of a 2024 ruling against Next about pay differences.
- More than 3,500 current and former workers were expected to share over £30 million in back pay.
- Next argued it must pay warehouse workers more to attract and keep employees in those roles.
- The tribunal agreed with Next that market conditions justify paying warehouse staff a higher hourly wage.
- Leigh Day, the law firm representing shop workers, plans to appeal the decision.
- The tribunal did confirm issues with night-time premiums, overtime pay, and rest breaks, which Next may also appeal.
- Both tribunals found no direct sex discrimination, though shop workers are mostly women and warehouse workers mostly men.
- Similar equal pay disputes are happening at other organizations like Birmingham City Council and Brighton and Hove City Council.
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