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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Unexpected payrise

40 replies

Ihavealwaysknown · 22/01/2019 23:35

Name change for this one.

I’m a teacher currently on maternity leave and so haven’t really noticed, but went into work recently and there was a letter saying I had passed my performance management so would be moved on to the next scale.

I was off sick for most of my pregnancy and so have done about a month worth of work, and haven’t had a performance management meeting (I hadn’t even set targets!) Do I just pretend I haven’t noticed and see what happens when I go back? Or do I query how I have moved up the pay scale? If I don’t mention it is it likely they will claw back the money if they realise? Even if I have a letter that says I’ve passed and will be moved up a level.

I guess it’s an admin error, DH is saying play oblivious to it! What would you do?!

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 22/01/2019 23:37

How much extra is it - I mean if you hadn’t seen the letter would you have noticed? Thought it was a tax calculation or additional holiday pau

Original poster
Ihavealwaysknown · 22/01/2019 23:42

In terms of annual salary it would be Around £3000 extra to what I was previously on, however there was an inflationary rise, plus I will be returning part time so could easily claim to have not noticed as overall my take home pay will be less due to less hours, but just paid at a higher rate if that makes sense

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 22/01/2019 23:46

Well the only reason you know is due to a letter - I’d assume someone higher than you would have also received notice? And it’s their job to pick this up and they haven’t?

Can you save the extra and see what the next review brings

ruffaloBuffalo · 23/01/2019 01:31

I'd be honest and tell them. I bet you'd be quick to if you were underpaid.

HerRoyalNotness · 23/01/2019 01:35

You’ve had a letter, it would have gone through several checks. No reason to think it’s not genuine really. Maybe you were overdue for one before you went off sick anyway

Aquamarine1029 · 23/01/2019 02:31

Relax and enjoy your raise! The chances are next to nil that this was an "accident." Congratulations!

Kolo · 23/01/2019 04:02

Maternity leave is continuous service, so it’s probably not an error. Is it from mainscale to ups1? If so, it’s probably happened automatically. You don’t need to apply or provide evidence. Successful PMs in the past would be proof enough.

JasperKarat · 23/01/2019 05:08

I'm in mat leave and was on secondment before, I just got a pay rise my line manager said if I wasn't given it it would be discrimination as the reason I'm not there is pregnancy and it wouldn't be fair to me but to get a raise for that reason. Also in my organisation (public sector) pregnancy related sickness doesn't count towards sick days, score b etc so I'd assume yours is the same. Enjoy your raise!

tealandteal · 23/01/2019 05:48

PP is right, they cannot discriminate based on pregnancy so you go up a pay point even if you are off on maternity leave. Any pregnancy related illness cannot be counted in any sickness reviews either.

Skiphopnjump · 23/01/2019 06:24

Surely you'll have been assessed for the time you were working? So pregnancy (and related sickness) wlhls not be taken into account. All my previous employers have always had a policy that if you are on mat leave for more than 39 weeks of the performance year, you automatically pass moderation without the need for assessment.

Mistigri · 23/01/2019 06:40

It's not as if the money has just turned up unexplained in your bank account. This isn't an accounting error - you've had a specific letter about it. IMO it's a management/HR decision that you're under no obligation to query.

Porridgeoat · 23/01/2019 06:49

I suspect they cause you and want to keep post baby.

BoppyBlippyBoo · 23/01/2019 06:50

I'm a teacher too and went off on maternity leave before completing my performance management a couple of years ago. I got a pay rise during Maternity Leave and also another the following year despite still not completing performance management (I went off during the summer). As others have said it will have had to go through several people before you for the letter (SLT and governors) so definitely won't be in error.

Pay rises during maternity leave are a little complicated though - look up Albaster pay. Essentially because they've already calculated your maternity pay you won't see the pay rise during the time off, but they back date it when you return to work, or pay in a lump sum if you decide not to return.

Ladyoftheloch · 23/01/2019 06:54

They will be able to claw it back even if it was a mistake on their part so you would be far better clarifying with them now. Besides, to pretend you haven’t noticed when you received a letter would be dishonest, and they will take a dim view of the matter if that gets discovered.

PattiStanger · 23/01/2019 07:06

It rather makes a mockery of performance ralated pay if you get the increase even if you haven't had a performance review - is that what you're saying?

Spam88 · 23/01/2019 07:22

Is this not standard? I'm in the NHS and we get our increments while on maternity leave so we're not treated less favourably than those not on maternity (or we did, god knows what happens with the new pay scales).

Barbie222 · 23/01/2019 07:24

If it's a mistake the school are entitled to claw it back. I'd say though that you are entitled to it, they can't not give it to you just as you are on maternity leave surely?

oblada · 23/01/2019 07:35

To respond to the pp about it making a 'mockery' of performance management - no, it just ensures that a woman on mat leave isn't discriminated. When it becomes common practice for both men and women to go on parental leave for long periods this will no longer be needed as having children isn't a protected characteristic. Gender is.

vdbfamily · 23/01/2019 07:41

It is similar in the NHS with a similar scale of payment. As I understand it, you will get the increment when it is due but if your performance is below expectation and being formally managed, your manager can request your pay is frozen at current level until your performance improves. It is quite rare for this to happen.

PattiStanger · 23/01/2019 07:44

That's not my point@ oblada, I'm not questioning the entitlement, the OP says she didn't have targets and she hadn't had a performance management meeting - how can she qualify for an increase?

NaturalBornWoman · 23/01/2019 07:47

You cannot be treated less favourably because of pregnancy, so if you would have had a pay review 'but for' the pregnancy, you are entitled to a pay review. Where a pay increase is performance related, again you cannot be disadvantaged by the fact you weren't there to set and meet objectives if the reason you weren't there is pregnancy related. Enjoy your pay increase.

Karigan195 · 23/01/2019 07:51

I’d just leave it alone. We get these things at our work and chances are it’s genuine due to some review somewhere

museumum · 23/01/2019 07:54

she didn't have targets and she hadn't had a performance management meeting - how can she qualify for an increase?

Presumably in her absence on Nat leave her management sat down and assessed that she was performing at the next level up and therefore awarded it.

SirGawain · 23/01/2019 08:09

I would think that the only circumstance in which they could claw it back was if the made an error which should have been obvious to you such as a large overpayment. If they have sent you a letter confirming you entitlement then you should be fairly safe.

Ellie56 · 23/01/2019 08:11

When I was Chair of Governors, we were advised by HR that teachers who had been on maternity leave were entitled to a pay increase even though they had not been at school for the full Performance Management cycle. To do otherwise would be discriminatory.

Just enjoy the extra money OP!