Lawyers representing staff of Next in an equal pay claim have accused it of destroying key documents ahead of the case – something the firm denies.
Elizabeth George, a barrister at the law firm Leigh Day, which is representing 330 staff, mainly women, said: ‘I can say that it is fundamental to a fair hearing that neither side destroy documents they know (or should know) are highly relevant to the other’s case.’
Denial: Fashion chain Next has been accused of destroying key documents ahead of an equal pay court case
The lawyers will bring up their claims at a one-day hearing at a tribunal on January 12.
This will decide whether clothes retailer Next should be punished for the potential destruction of the documents.
However, Next denied any wrongdoing. ‘Next has not destroyed documents in breach of a tribunal order and it believes that any assertion that it has, is based upon inaccurate information,’ it said.
Staff in Next stores say they are paid between £2 and £6 less per hour than those who work in its warehouses.
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