Focus groups: workers and employers, UK

We were tasked with conducting face-to-face and online focus groups in the UK with two distinct audience groups: low-paid workers and employers. Our client’s aim was to gather insights into the challenges both groups face, how low-paying sectors respond to minimum wage increases, and how local economic factors influence these responses across different UK regions. The study also informed our client on the working conditions in low-paying sectors, how minimum wage increases affect low-paid workers, and what other factors impact the living standards of workers in low-paid employment.

The FieldworkHub team successfully recruited both requested audience groups of low-paid workers and employers. We arranged for two 90 minute in-person focus groups to take place in Dundee with separate groups of workers and employers, followed by three 60 minute online focus groups with participants across the UK, hosted and moderated via Zoom. Our team carefully chose participants who were willing to participate in qualitative discussions and open to sharing their varied experiences on working in a range of sectors such as childcare, hospitality and retail. The discussions covered varied experiences on pay, working conditions, and the impact of the minimum wage increase in April 2025. FieldworkHub provided clear guidance and support that ensured all participants attended the focus group sessions on time. We presented the insights as interview transcripts and a provided a comprehensive topline report that went beyond the original scope set out to us by our client.