Checking work emails on mat leave

[Workberk]

I have missed out on £1000s in pension contributions because I didn't check my work emails often/thoroughly enough while on mat leave so apparently missed an application deadline (which wasn't set to a specific date or detailed in the email anyway).

AIBU to think I shouldn't have to have checked my work email while on leave?

Lucky I did check it and take action towards the end of leave as I would have missed out on £1000s more.

I tell everyone in my department they shouldn't be checking work mail even on annual leave.

But stuff about pensions I expect to get in a letter, even when I'm working normally. Mind you, that's usually because it's from the pension company, which is different from the employer. But I assumed that they wrote letters partly because not everyone is always fully working.

I have no access to my work emails while on ML, so my Manager had access to them and just forwarded anything urgent to my home email. It worked well for me. I think anything like that should have been posted to you. Presumably it would have affected people on long term sick as well ?

OP complain to HR. we had a similar thing where they did an IT upgrade and were going to chuck people's computers which have loads of research and data on them. Luckily I texted my colleague who was on mat leave but otherwise she could've lost years of work.

Unfortunately it was HR who told me it couldn't be backdated so I think anything I say will fall on deaf ears.

Yanbu. That sort of thing should be sent out in a letter anyway.

FWIW I did check work e-mails on mat leave every so often so I could keep in the loop.

HR work for the company and will tell you what suits them best, not necessarily what is true/legally required. Are you in a union? or do you have legal cover on your home insurance? They should have communicated by letter. Please don't let them get away with it, you might regret it when you're retired and it's affecting your standard of living.

Checking work emails could be classed as working surely?

I've not accessed mine since last year and keep telling my boss this but she still emails my work account rather than personal unless I initiate the conversation.

Go over to legal matters OP and ask there. I have been advised of all changes by post and have not been expected to check emails at all while on mat leave.

Thanks I will do.