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Legal action is being taken against Tesco by seventeen workers on grounds that the supermarket giant has committed pay discrimination in regards to a recent reduction of pay for staff who work anti-social hours like weekends, bank holidays and night shifts.
These employees were previously received double time pay for such hours until the change came into force last July as a result of an initially positive alteration to Tesco pay rates which created a 3.1% pay-rise for all workers. This change means that the average Tesco wage is now £7.62, which makes Tesco one of the most financially generous employers of the retail industry.
It is believed that up to 38,000 Tesco workers could be affected by this change, although the company disputes this amount, believing the number far lower. The group of seventeen claimants taking action against Tesco are all long-time employees who have served the retailer since the 1990s.
It is mostly long-serving staff accustomed to previous pay policies who are affected as they have gained certain expectations regarding their pay through which they have planned their lifestyles and financial arrangements. When a severe change such as this recent one is made it is understandable that long-serving employees feel their loyalty and dedication is being disregarded.
Tesco claims their changes are justified as they were made in accordance with the outcome of an agreement that the company reached following a consultation with the shopworkers’ trade union earlier this year, which outlined a two-year pay deal to take effect from February 2016.
A spokesman for Tesco released the following statement in response to the recent legal action against the company:
“Earlier this year we announced a pay increase of up to 3.1% for colleagues working in our stores across the UK, in addition to a 5% turnaround bonus. As part of the pay negotiations we also agreed to simplify premium payments to ensure a fair and consistent approach for all colleagues. The minority of colleagues who were negatively impacted by this change were supported with an agreed lump sum transition payment.”
Tesco is not the only retailer to come under fire recently for altering pay for staff. Marks & Spencer is currently experiencing a dispute for allegedly reducing the wages of shop-floor staff who work anti-social hours.
