Key facts
- The Supreme Court has blocked Tesco from appealing a key ruling in an equal pay claim.
- Over 16,000 current and former Tesco shop workers are involved in the claim.
- The ruling allows tribunals to use company training materials to determine job roles.
- Tesco argued against relying on its own documents for job fact determination.
The UK's Supreme Court has refused Tesco permission to appeal a significant ruling concerning equal pay claims brought by more than 16,000 shop workers. The decision, made on September 29, 2026, means employment tribunals can continue to rely on an employer's own training and operational documents when determining the factual content of jobs for equal value assessments. This follows a Court of Appeal decision on May 12, 2026, which upheld the tribunal's approach. The claimants, predominantly female store workers, argue they have been paid less than predominantly male distribution center workers for work of equal value.