Alison Cooper v Cranswick Convenience Foods Limited Heard: in Sheffield — 2026

The tribunal found that Alison Cooper was dismissed for redundancy on 31 July 2024 after the respondent lost a significant Aldi contract and had to reduce engineering administration headcount at Valley Park. It accepted that the respondent carried out collective consultation from April 2024, used a pool that included the claimant, Jackie McDonald and Tony Burke, and adopted selection criteria that were agreed through consultation. The tribunal also found that the respondent invited the claimant to a scored interview for the combined remaining role, consulted with her individually after the interview, and took reasonable steps to identify suitable alternative employment. The unfair dismissal claim was therefore not well founded and was dismissed.

On equal pay, the tribunal accepted the claimant's evidence that her work was like Tony Burke's work within section 65 Equality Act 2010. It found that both were Engineering Administrators at the Valley Park site, that they covered for each other during holiday periods, and that the work they did was broadly the same. Although there were some differences in duties, the tribunal found limited evidence about their frequency or practical importance, and concluded that the claimant was employed on like work with Mr Burke throughout her employment.

The tribunal also found that the claimant was paid less than Mr Burke throughout her employment and that the respondent had not proved a material factor defence under section 69 Equality Act 2010. The respondent relied on length of service and additional duties and responsibilities, but no witness involved in setting the pay rates could explain why the claimant was paid less, and the tribunal found no evidence that those factors were the genuine cause of the difference. It therefore held that the sex equality clause applied and the equal pay claim succeeded.

Following reconsideration under rule 71, the tribunal corrected the arrears calculation under section 132 Equality Act 2010. It found compensation for breach of the equality clause of £16,808.48 and awarded £4,829.79 interest, producing a total award of £21,638.27.