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Original poster

. . . to be absolutely furious at what work have done to me?

88 replies

CanTheyDoThisToMe · 03/02/2021 20:38

Or should I "suck it up" as I was told by a senior colleague this morning?

I was on maternity leave during 2020. My company had a restructure and they reduced two manager roles (one was mine) down to one role. When speaking about the new role during the consultation period, my boss said the new role was the same grade/level as my old role. As the other manager chose to leave, I was given the role by default, and received a letter confirming my title change and stating that terms and conditions would be the same.

Fast forward a few months and I'm back from maternity leave, working hard to cover both teams, stressed at the additional responsibility. And now I find out by accident (noticed it on the HR system) that my grade is one lower than it used to be. It's not a mistake, when asked, my boss just said he wanted to tell me that the role had been demoted when we were 'back in the office' rather than when I was on maternity leave.

I'm furious. Not only have I got twice the responsibility for zero reward, but I will now no longer be eligible for annual payrises because I'm at the top of the lower grade payband, and my bonus will correspondingly be less too.

Not to mention that it's insulting to be demoted but given so much more work.

What should I do? I'm so angry. I've raised a complaint but they've said the decision stands.

OP posts:
WhateverJudy · 03/02/2021 21:59

Have they reduced your grade from what it was before in your old role so you’re now paid less for doing more? Or have they increased your responsibilities but reduced the grade of the higher responsibility job down to your existing grade so that you do more but for the same money?

TheyIsMyFamily · 03/02/2021 22:11

I hope you pursue it. Grossly unfair treatment.

Aceray · 03/02/2021 22:12

Second the suggestion to contact Pregnant then Screwed for advice; pregnantthenscrewed.com/how-does-the-legal-advice-line-work/

Bubblefart · 03/02/2021 22:18

Also contact “pregnant then screwed”
You can find them on Instagram

FFSAllTheGoodOnesArereadyTaken · 03/02/2021 22:23

Yes they have fucked up.

Not by changing the role, I understand they can do this as long as it was due to genuine restructuring needs and not specific to your role because you were off.

But it's wrong to keep you in the dark about it, you should have the same or equivalent communication if you're off on mat leave as if you're in the office. They told you in writing that all terms and conditions were the same but that was incorrect. And the worst part is that they didnt come clean when you came back. By telling you they wanted to wait til you were back to tell you face to face they are basically admitting that they deliberately kept you in the dark because you were on mat leave...which is illegal. And also it turned out to be incorrect again given that they didnt have that face to face discussion as soon as you were back.

I am not a lawyer or anything but...bunch of bastards

Mousehole10 · 03/02/2021 22:40

How long did you have off for mat leave? If 9 months or less they have to give you back your same role.

Tillyfloss1 · 03/02/2021 23:38

If you're looking to speak to an employment lawyer, check your house insurance policy first - there may be a legal advice policy within it which will mean you are entitled to advice covered by your insurance.

Arobase · 04/02/2021 00:16

If you accepted the role on the basis of terms and conditions staying the same, it seems to me that the company is in breach of contract. I suspect a stiff solicitors' letter telling them to comply with the terms of contract will do the trick, but it's likely to be quite expensive.

Your problem is that this will be held against you, however, so it probably makes sense to start looking for another job anyway.

FrankButchersDickieBow · 04/02/2021 00:21

You cannot be discriminated against for lodging a grievance.

Keep a diary of any behaviour you feel is discriminatory/unfavourable. It will come in very handy if you need it in the future.

ArosGartref · 04/02/2021 00:28

Major deja vu.

pumpkinbump · 04/02/2021 00:35

Pretty sure they can't do this. Contact ACAS.

SadderThanEeyore · 04/02/2021 01:26

Pregnant then screwed will have excellent advice on this matter

redpencil77 · 04/02/2021 01:30

@CanTheyDoThisToMe

Or should I "suck it up" as I was told by a senior colleague this morning?

I was on maternity leave during 2020. My company had a restructure and they reduced two manager roles (one was mine) down to one role. When speaking about the new role during the consultation period, my boss said the new role was the same grade/level as my old role. As the other manager chose to leave, I was given the role by default, and received a letter confirming my title change and stating that terms and conditions would be the same.

Fast forward a few months and I'm back from maternity leave, working hard to cover both teams, stressed at the additional responsibility. And now I find out by accident (noticed it on the HR system) that my grade is one lower than it used to be. It's not a mistake, when asked, my boss just said he wanted to tell me that the role had been demoted when we were 'back in the office' rather than when I was on maternity leave.

I'm furious. Not only have I got twice the responsibility for zero reward, but I will now no longer be eligible for annual payrises because I'm at the top of the lower grade payband, and my bonus will correspondingly be less too.

Not to mention that it's insulting to be demoted but given so much more work.

What should I do? I'm so angry. I've raised a complaint but they've said the decision stands.

Illegal. Join a trade union. Get them to fight on your behalf. Restructuring cannot be used as an excuse to downgrade you.
grassisjeweled · 04/02/2021 01:48

Can't believe they are actually called 'pregnant then screwed' Grin

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 04/02/2021 06:52

I think you need to get this moved the employment issues section. There all some posters with employment law knowledge that will give you some good advice. At the moment you’re getting a lot of opinion but probably not much grounded in law.

notanothertakeaway · 04/02/2021 06:55

Check your household insurance policy to see if it includes legal expenses insurance cover. If so, this would cover the cost of getting legal advice and representation

redpencil77 · 04/02/2021 06:59

@Idontgiveagriffindamn

I think you need to get this moved the employment issues section. There all some posters with employment law knowledge that will give you some good advice. At the moment you’re getting a lot of opinion but probably not much grounded in law.
Great idea
timeisnotaline · 04/02/2021 07:02

All ts and cs remain the same?
Not sure who you’ve contacted but to the head of hr, or if it’s small the ceo cc your boss and don’t forget EVERYTHING goes to your personal email too now: Forward the email stating that and say as per my employment contract and your written confirmation you were offering me an equal level contract as you are required to do for staff on maternity leave , I will require back pay for the period x and my pay and grade to be restored in our system. I think it reasonable this can be completed before the next payroll, please advise me in writing when it’s done.

timeisnotaline · 04/02/2021 07:03

Also forward your email to your boss to your personal email along with anything else relevant and screenshot the payroll system. I assume you have record of your previous grade somewhere.

daisychain01 · 04/02/2021 07:15

@LochJessMonster

Pretty sure I’ve read this exact post before
Me too
daisychain01 · 04/02/2021 07:21

OP did you post this a while ago in the Employment Issues Board?

I've raised a complaint but they've said the decision stands

You need to raise a grievance, if possible using their Grievance process, or if they don't have a policy, use the ACAS website.

Outline everything you've captured on here including sequence of events, dates of your mat leave, dates when they did it and when you found out, and force their formal response. Don't do it verbally. They've obviously tried to do it under the radar in the hope they could dodge you raising questions and objections. They sound clueless as to correct protocol and are banking on you not knowing your rights.

Oblomov21 · 04/02/2021 07:21

Op you need to get this thread moved to employment, so knowledgeable posters including flowery will see it.

daisychain01 · 04/02/2021 07:22

use the ACAS website

Ie submit the grievance based on good practice recommended by ACAS.

That is, if your employer doesn't have their own policy and procedure.

ShesMadeATwatOfMePam · 04/02/2021 07:23

Haven't read the thread but check out the charity pregnant then screwed.

MilkshakeandChips5 · 04/02/2021 07:29

Be cautious as there is some opinion here that is not quite accurate depending on your own contract / terms and conditions. As unfair as it may seem, pay grade / the right to annual salary reviews may not be contractual depending on other elements of the change. This is a complex area of case law so would advise reaching out to ACAS as a first step. I hope everything works out for you!

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