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AIBU?

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To Complain on Behalf of All Parents At Work

69 replies

RiteousIndignation · 05/06/2025 07:04

Around ten years ago, I discovered that, due to an accounting error in the systems used, the company I work for wasn't paying people on maternity/parental leave the correct pension contributions. I fought tooth and nail to get this rectified and it took years of back and forth. I'm not on the board and I'm not a shareholder which made things difficult but I thought I'd had the problem fixed. I spoke to a colleague on maternity leave yesterday and found out that it's still happening.

I escalated my previous thread and have been told that it's none of my business because I haven't been affected this time and essentially to wind my neck in. I have female members of staff that are likely to be affected if they have children, so I disagree. And I was the person that reported it last time and so feel invested.

I really don't think I ABU but I feel hugely anxious about being told to stand down and not letting this go.

YANBU - in a management position, you have a moral obligation to wield what power you do have to make sure others aren't disadvantaged.

YABU - you've done your moral duty by reporting it and it'll do no one any favours by you continuing to push this/escalating it further.

OP posts:
nanodyne · 05/06/2025 09:38

Consider contacting the Pregnant Then Screwed hotline, as this is definitely maternity discrimination so they can probably advise on the most appropriate legal channels - it might be that the women affected must themselves take proper action, but it seems like an external/legal challenge is needed if they're going to keep foregoing their legal obligations.

Megifer · 05/06/2025 09:35

Afaik this likely wouldn't come under whistleblowing and the protection that offers as I'm not sure it would meet the "public interest" condition unless you're funded by public money. I've not had any dealings with actual whistleblowing but have with employees who think their grievance is covered by it.

Either way though you're not wrong for pursuing this as all employees have a duty of fidelity to their employer.

Good luck!!

2024onwardsandup · 05/06/2025 09:30

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 05/06/2025 07:38

Maybe you need to frame the argument differently. Instead of presenting it as a crusade for workers' rights (which isn't wrong but obviously doesn't go down well in your company), perhaps try presenting it as concern about the extent to which the company is exposing itself to the risk of costly discrimination claims?

This is very good advice

and well done to you

RiteousIndignation · 05/06/2025 09:23

MrsWinslowsSoothingSyrup · 05/06/2025 09:12

Join a Union anyway. Your employers have no right to know - it's protected personal information:
"Trade Union membership is one of several Special Categories of data under GDPR – previously classified as "sensitive personal data" under the DPA".

A union will protect you if you are ever treated unfairly at work due to raising the maternity/pensions issue. They will help will legal advice and legal costs.

Thank you - I think it's about time I looked into it really

OP posts:
MrsWinslowsSoothingSyrup · 05/06/2025 09:12

RiteousIndignation · 05/06/2025 07:27

Yes, I am concerned that it would affect my career. It shouldn't of course but if I've been told to drop it and carry on, there's definitely that risk. I think this is a hill I'm prepared to die on, though.

I don't have a union (it's not a widely unionised industry) but I suspect involving outside bodies would be even more of a danger career-wise.

I could join forces with the colleague but my concern is that (like what appeared to happen last time), they'll put her right and make no long term changes to the process going forwards. I want the system changed, not patched.

Join a Union anyway. Your employers have no right to know - it's protected personal information:
"Trade Union membership is one of several Special Categories of data under GDPR – previously classified as "sensitive personal data" under the DPA".

A union will protect you if you are ever treated unfairly at work due to raising the maternity/pensions issue. They will help will legal advice and legal costs.

Clickjaw · 05/06/2025 09:10

RiteousIndignation · 05/06/2025 09:01

Well thanks for your input Clickjaw. I'm not wrong. Another poster has mentioned it isn't an uncommon mistake. And I don't know whether anyone else has complained - I'm not party to the Accounts or HR email inboxes. What I do know is that a lot of people haven't checked their pension accounts. Not one of the colleagues I've spoken to about this even knew how to long into theirs.

So the colleague who supposedly told you that it’s still happening… you didn’t ask whether they were pursuing the matter?

in a decade you don’t know whether a single colleague aside from you has pursued the error despite them being the victims?

Clickjaw · 05/06/2025 09:09

RiteousIndignation · 05/06/2025 09:02

I assure you you don't - I name changed for this thread with a fresh username. Not saying I'm not unusual, but I'm not sure what you're getting WRT MN threads!

You are quite identifiable OP, put it like that

RiteousIndignation · 05/06/2025 09:03

S0j0urn4r · 05/06/2025 09:00

Have you tried ACAS?

I haven't, thank you, I'll think about that

OP posts:
RiteousIndignation · 05/06/2025 09:02

Clickjaw · 05/06/2025 09:00

Because I recall the OP’s other threads

this is an unusual OP

not one single colleague has ever progressed this themselves. The OP is literally the only one who thinks there is an error

I assure you you don't - I name changed for this thread with a fresh username. Not saying I'm not unusual, but I'm not sure what you're getting WRT MN threads!

OP posts:
RiteousIndignation · 05/06/2025 09:01

Well thanks for your input Clickjaw. I'm not wrong. Another poster has mentioned it isn't an uncommon mistake. And I don't know whether anyone else has complained - I'm not party to the Accounts or HR email inboxes. What I do know is that a lot of people haven't checked their pension accounts. Not one of the colleagues I've spoken to about this even knew how to long into theirs.

OP posts:
Clickjaw · 05/06/2025 09:01

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 05/06/2025 08:59

The irony of your typo...

I’m not picking up the OP’s writing skills

the Op has written that she “escalated” her last thread

reasonable question - to whom?

Clickjaw · 05/06/2025 09:00

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 05/06/2025 08:58

There's no need to come in so hard @Clickjaw unless you're an HR professional with an axe to grind about being corrected.

Because I recall the OP’s other threads

this is an unusual OP

not one single colleague has ever progressed this themselves. The OP is literally the only one who thinks there is an error

S0j0urn4r · 05/06/2025 09:00

Have you tried ACAS?

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 05/06/2025 08:59

Clickjaw · 05/06/2025 08:52

I escalated my previous thread

come again? To whole?

The irony of your typo...

IButtleSir · 05/06/2025 08:59

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 05/06/2025 08:08

Obviously, parenthood isn't a protected characteristic, but I am guessing that the issue disproportionately affects women so there would be an argument for indirect discrimination on the grounds of sex.

Pregnancy is a protected characteristic, though!

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 05/06/2025 08:58

There's no need to come in so hard @Clickjaw unless you're an HR professional with an axe to grind about being corrected.

MrsWinslowsSoothingSyrup · 05/06/2025 08:57

Thank you for pursuing this for your colleagues ❤

Clickjaw · 05/06/2025 08:52

I escalated my previous thread

come again? To whole?

Clickjaw · 05/06/2025 08:52

d. I spoke to a colleague on maternity leave yesterday and found out that it's still happening.

and what has said colleague done about it? Aside from being cornered by you and forced to admit that even though has no idea what the OP is talking about, just agreed she is correct in order to escape!

Clickjaw · 05/06/2025 08:51

So ten years worth of employees going on maternity and paternity leave and not ONE has observed the error. Not one.

Just the Robin Hood crusader that is the OP

ChampagneLassie · 05/06/2025 08:51

Report them to pensions regulator. As long as you can do so anonymously and thus won’t blow back on you, let them get company to sort.

Clickjaw · 05/06/2025 08:50

I would bet, a lot, that quite simply Op - You are wrong!

MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 05/06/2025 08:49

I think you've done your bit and risked your career enough, and it's time for others to do their bit.

Calmdownpeople · 05/06/2025 08:35

RiteousIndignation · 05/06/2025 07:49

That's a really good point, thanks - I'll try that tack!

Exactly. However it sounds like they aren’t going to budge.

I would stop and then whistle now - it is illegal to have retribution against a whistleblower and this is anonymous anyway. Whistleblow to HMRC.

Pushing after their very clear response isn’t going to go well for you.