Asda set to cut hundreds of jobs and thousands to see pay slashed

Hundreds of jobs at Asda are at risk while thousands face their wages being cut in a raft of changes announced by the supermarket.

Almost 300 night managers and pharmacy roles are under threat and more than 4,000 night workers will be moved to lower-paid daytime roles across the UK.

Asda’s retail director Ken Towle said the business recognised it would be a “difficult time” for the staff affected as it entered into consultation with them.

The supermarket has revealed plans to move overnight restocking shifts at 184 stores to during the day, meaning 211 night shift manager’s jobs at risk.

The change also means 4,137 hourly paid workers will have their work patterns moved losing them their night shift pay premium of at least £2.52 per hour paid on top of their normal rate.

Seven in-store pharmacies employing 14 pharmacists and 48 other workers are set to close – due to “low customer usage”.

The opening hours of all 23 in-store Post Office shops are being cut by 25% – affecting 23 salaried Post Office Managers and 200 hourly-paid colleagues.

Mr Towle said: “The retail sector is evolving at pace and it is vital we review changing customer preferences, along with our own ways of working, to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible, so that we can continue to invest and grow our business.

“We are now entering a period of consultation with our colleagues on these proposals.

“We recognise this will be a difficult time for them and will do all we can to support them through this process.”