I am having a conflict with the HR consultant at my firm and I would like advice please on what options I have if any, legal or otherwise.
The HR consultant is an independent contractor employed by my firm to provide HR support.
In a meeting in 2022, HR provided me with incorrect information. I have a record of the information provided which is date stamped to the time this meeting took place. This information relates to when entitlement to enhanced maternity pay would begin.
The only maternity policy document I have access to predates this meeting. I checked this document last week and realised it did not align to the information HR provided in 2022. I therefore emailed HR asking for the date entitlement would begin. HR provided me with the same information given in the 2022 meeting. I then emailed the relevant paragraph from the policy document I have access to, and outlined how this would equate to a date 10 months later than that given by HR.
HR apologised for misinforming me and said the policy document and my interpretation of it were correct and their information was incorrect.
We then had a phonecall where I outlined that I was upset that I had been misinformed in 2022 and again in 2024. They denied ever discussing the matter prior to 2024 and strongly implied I was knowingly lying about the 2022 meeting and did so with an ulterior motive.
I feel their misinformation has put me and my firm at considerable financial risk and has caused significant emotional distress to me and my family. The aspersions made on my character have caused further emotional distress to me.
I don't know where to go from here to be honest. I'm very upset. We were excited about starting to try for a baby which we now can not do for a further 6 months. There is also a very small chance I am already pregnant. I also would not feel comfortable having HR support from him on any further matters as I doubt his competence and would feel uncomfortable discussing personal information with him.
Any advice greatly appreciated!