Looking for general advice on possible change to my contract

[TensionWheelsCoolHeels]

Hi,

I currently work 25 hrs per week & am looking to increase my hours. I've tentatively enquired about the likelihood of being able to increase my hours & I've had a positive initial response so I'm going to make the request formal over the next few weeks if the discussion next week confirms I'll get the request approved.

The tricky part is this - I am currently on a good hourly rate, a rate I've been on for a number of years (no pay rise for about 6/7 years). About a year or so ago, the company had a 'review' of salaries/grades & the level I'm at (and have been for about 14 years) is now capped at a rate much less than I currently earn. The difference works out at just under £6k a yr. In making the request to change my contract, I'm worried about my employer trying to put me on a lower hourly rate due to the regrading that happened.

My question is - do I have any grounds to be able to argue against the lower hourly rate for a new contract? Ultimately, if I'm forced to accept the lower hourly rate, it's not financially viable to increase my hrs for the small increase on my salary that that would work out at (childcare/travel costs would leave me worse off than I am now).

Any advice on how to approach this, if I have no legal argument to maintain my current hourly rate?

Thanks

[2Retts]

Hi Tension. If I were in your position, I think I would be careful about how I worded my request.

If the 25 hours are stipulated in your current contract, I would merely request a varaition in my current contract to reflecct an increase in hours (no other changes as no new contract). It's tenuous but if they value you and the contribution you bring to the company and they could actively benefit from you increasing your hours, it's a strong argument for maintaining your current rate of pay.

Also, asking the question in that way may provide them with a way of facilitating your request that they haven't thought of.

Of course, the argument you have for not accepting the lower hourly rate is 'I think I'll stick with what I have for now if you can't keep me on current rate.'

[TensionWheelsCoolHeels]

Thanks, that's really helpful. I'll frame it that way & see what they say.

[flowery]

You are the one asking to change your terms and conditions. If they say you can change your hours as long as you also change your hourly rate to match that of your colleagues, then you don't have any legal "argument" against that. You will be able to accept or decline, up to you.

Unless they actively want you to increase your hours, in their position I would absolutely use this request from you as an opportunity to address a pay anomaly in a straightforward way.

[TensionWheelsCoolHeels]

Thanks, that's my concern flowery. Tbh, I think I'm in a good position, they are currently under staffed - 4 people on maternity leave too & are encouraging anyone with capacity to increase hours, to do so. The issue of my current salary hasn't been mentioned or commented on (yet) so I just wanted to see if I had a leg to stand on (legally) to insist my hourly rate still stands. At least I know what the limits are to what I'm asking for.

If my current hourly rate won't be honoured for a new contract on increased hours, I'm not going to take it forward at all. I'll try & word it as suggested above & see what response I get, but if the answer is no, I'll stick to what I've got now.