Next Wins Equal Pay Appeal Allowing Warehouse Staff Higher Basic Pay Than Shop Workers for Work of Equal Value

Next has won its appeal concerning higher basic pay for warehouse employees, although findings involving other pay differences remain unresolved. (Credit: Dorsetdude/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Next has won a significant appeal upholding its payment of higher basic hourly wages to warehouse employees than to shop workers, despite an earlier finding that the two groups perform work of equal value.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled that the retailer's need to recruit and retain warehouse staff provided a lawful business justification for the basic-pay difference.