Competition watchdog warns against anti-competitive behaviour in the labour market following incidences of wage fixing between Sky, BT, IMG, ITV and BBC
11 September 2025
The Competition and Markets Authority has warned HR professionals and recruiters of the legal risks of collusion when hiring workers and setting pay, after several major sport broadcasters were fined for wage-fixing practices.
In guidance published on Tuesday (9 September), the watchdog said the idea that competition law did not apply to agreements between employers on wages and working conditions was a “myth”. It also reminded employers that no-poaching agreements, wage fixing and the exchange of competitively sensitive information regarding employment contracts were anti-competitive.
Collusion between companies when setting pay and working conditions can lead to reduced salaries, lower employee mobility and limit businesses’ ability to recruit, the regulator explained.
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Businesses that break competition law can face fines of up to 10 per cent of their annual global turnover and be banned from bidding for public contracts. Meanwhile, directors of companies that have engaged in anti-competitive behaviour can be disqualified from managing a company for up to 15 years.
Charles Cotton, senior policy and practice adviser at the CIPD, welcomed the guidance. “This will help ensure that...
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