"Some days we’ve just had breakfast" - Asda Handsworth worker skips meals due to unpaid wages

An unpaid carer and worker at Asda Handsworth told The Star that a number of workers at the store were recently left without holiday or sick pay due to a computer error.

The payments have since been made.

Speaking before the issue was resolved, the worker, who is an unpaid carer for their partner, said: "We've had to skip meals. Some days we've just had breakfast. I've got lots of stress at home and this on top of everything makes it all worse."

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On top of underpayment in holiday and sick pay, it is claimed that incorrect information was sent to Universal Credit meaning those who claim the benefit on top of their income received next to nothing extra.

"I can't believe a big supermarket like Asda would treat people like this. One lady is missing £500 of her wages and another £350. They tell you to see your line manager but they don’t know anything," the worker said.

The issues have been attributed to new IT systems as Asda transitions processes away from its former owner Walmart’s.

An Asda spokesperson said: "While the majority of Asda’s 150,000 colleagues were paid correctly this month, we know there have been discrepancies for some hourly-paid colleagues. We sincerely apologise to those affected and want to reassure them we are proactively resolving this issue by making additional payments as soon as possible."

Since reaching out to The Star the staff member has now received their missing pay.

Asda added: "We know there have been some discrepancies with holiday pay and other adjustments that have affected colleague’s pay this month. We are working to resolve this as quickly as possible by making interim payments to affected colleagues.

"We are working with HMRC and DWP to ensure any tax or Universal Credit concerns can be quickly addressed."