Pay query

[jenny82]

Another question - Posted this in 2nd tri but think it'd be better here...

Where do you think I stand on this?

If I was allowed to go semi-part-time (ie. reduced from 37 to 30 hours for 2.5 months and reduced from 37 to 22 hours for 3 months) and asked at the time about taking a pay cut, but received no response, and therefore carried on receiving my full time wage (Which wasn't that much anyway). I did work later and at home if required also and had the same level of workload whether I was fulltime or parttime...

Can this be used against me at a later date for refusal of a payrise?

If I had had my pay cut at the time, I would've more than understood. However, I don't think it can be used later for reasoning against a payrise...

Am just asking as I think my boss is using this as an excuse to not give me the payrise that she gave every other member of staff, but want to check my rights before I speak to her.

 

[Seraphim]

ACAS would give you the best answer to go on.

You need to be careful about reduced hours if it causes your contract to be rewritten, because you can't then automatically ask for them back again.

If your work are slippery, you may be better off not being too flexible.

(Sorry I haven't really answered your question, but ACAS will)

 

[jenny82]

I didn't get a new contract or anything like that.

I phoned ACAS last week but they weren't able to give me a proper answer. Have also been to the CAB also.

The CAB have referred me to the labour relations agency, so I might do that this week.

I just want someone to go Yes or No - I do or do not have a case. If not, I'll be more than happy to leave the issue, but I feel I'm being discriminated against as I'm going on maternity soon and its not right.

 

[Seraphim]

It sounds to me like they can't ask for the money back... they haven't made any other deal... whilst it could be a reasonable argument on their side - technically there is no deal regarding the reduced hours - you are pregnant and they can be explained by this (ie not just for no reason) - so no, I would say you should technically be entitled to the same pay/incentives as everyone else.

Your reduced hours are permisible by the fact of pregnancy. And they chose not to reduce your pay based on that.

They can't mix apples and pears.

You might find that overall, it would balance out (the extra wages for full hours vs the pay rise) but I'd still personally want it proportioned correctly.

Also... hours is one thing, but has the workload decreased??
If youre doing the same work, just in less hours, then they don't have any argument really.

 

[jenny82]

Lol god no, the workload has increased over the year!

I wasn't hired to do this role (another argument is that my pay is in line with the role) but as I had accounts experience and their guy quit, I was drafted in for a few days a week. A few days a week quickly became full time in this role and as the year has progressed, new systems etc have been put in place so there is actually more work to do than there had been before.

They hadn't let me go part time becuase of pregnancy though, but rather to go to college classes.

Personally, I think they're using the part-time thing as an excuse NOT to give me what I think I'm due, but I just need clarification before I decide whether or not to pursue it further. Part of me just wants to leave it as its just not worth it, but another part of me knows that this is completely unfair and I should stand up for myself, for a change...

 

[charlieann]

i would argue that payrises are based on performance, if you have met your pm targets there seems to be no reason for them to withhold a payrise. what qualified the other members of staff for their payrise which you didnt meet?
did you leave a paper trail with asking about pay for part time hours? sounds like discrimination to me and i would persue it, but im no expert.

 

[Seraphim]

I know what you mean, I've had similar going on. You don't want to press it.
At least I found out what mine were upto.

The college course, is it work related??
If it is... then being in training is not 'reduced hours' - and would make sense why theyre not cutting your pay.

This is why some place find it hard to give concrete Yes or No I think

 

[jenny82]

Another person in the firm was initially offered the same pay rise as me, but (falsely) threatened to go elsewhere and all of a sudden, her pay increased by £3,600. I have been told that the firm 'does not enter into bargaining', but why was her payrise increased from the initial £600 to £4,000?

The course wasn't work-related, but a business course surely helps in the business anyway? I don't know... :/

I don't care about the money anymore, but I jsut want them to realise that people can't be treated like this. I'm a nice person and I work hard and I always gave my best to my work. Now I just don't care...

 

[Seraphim]

I don't care about the money anymore, but I jsut want them to realise that people can't be treated like this. I'm a nice person and I work hard and I always gave my best to my work. Now I just don't care...

This is such a hard place to be.

I've been juggling this for months and months myself.

 

[jenny82]

Have you managed to get anywhere with your work?

I did know one person who was trying to take her workplace to a tribunal (not my intention but this is just an example). She ended up giving up as it was too stressful for her and baby :/

 

[Seraphim]

I posted in the Girly Sanctuary today about where I'm at.
Fingers crossed hey.

I spent 8 years filing a personal injury case, so it's helped that I'm now someone who documents things etc.

 

[jenny82]

I suppose you know a lot about these matters then

I haven't joined the GS yet so can't see it, but I hope you get everything sorted too! I fear I might just chicken out, work till my maternity and go.

Its disappointing but I can live with it - I won't care once my baby comes, I get my degree and can get a better job afterwards.

I'm just sorry to be leaving the original owner of the business as she is an ok lady and tbh, I think she is regretting selling half her business on. Its not only me with problems - another girl has threatened to leave also becuase of problems with the new MD.