Teachers out there - new pay and conditions question

[Neiffer]

Hi all
Hoping any teachers can help me (the standard lea type ). I'm a primary teacher due to start maternity in July. I'm wondering what will happen about progressing up the pay scale? I'm assuming if I pass this year before going off then ill go up whdn I return in Easter/June next year, but what about the year after? I won't have much time at school before the sept so won't be able to complete a full appraisal cycle, but under old conditions people still progressed regardless. Am I doomed to stay on the same point for that next year or is it discriminatory?
Any advice really appreciated :)

I had maternity leave around the same time and l progressed onto UPS even though l was off that year and l will continue now l am back at work :)

You'll go up. They can't not put you up - it's discrimination.

I'm not sure about that - UPS is changing from Sept 2013. I would ask your union, Neiffer - this is what we pay them for! Good luck.

Sorry but as of September the situation changes. There is no automatic moving up the pay scale, in fact there is no pay scale only a minimum and maximum figure with suggested points in between which equate to the old grades/
If you are going off on maternity leave in July then you will have more or less completed the year since the last appraisal so should be able to make a good case for having met the objectives set and therefore a pay rise, which should be from September. However to be honest I am not sure what the answer will be for the year after when in effect you will have not been in the school for a majority of the year.

Thanks everyone, I know that the situation currently allows you to progress as standard. But admission is right, everything's changing and I'm not sure where that leaves us pregnant people! Good plan re union, I always forget about them!!

From September, heads will be allowed to decide how much you get paid. Theoretically, you could be put back on m1 but I'm sure the unions would be in uproar if that happened. More likely, people will stay on the same pay until they can 'prove' that they've improved to outstanding (for ups anyway).

My head has not hidden the fact that she's not likely to move anyone to ups. She says there's no money in the budget.

I'm in the same situation- my maternity should start mid September but the booklet I received from the council says that my maternity pay is based on this year's rate.

Could you contact your council's HR?

Our naternity pay is based on wks 17-25 of pregnancy so you miss out on any increments until you return. Though I have read elsewhere that this too is discriminatory and can be fought if you feel inclined. It'll only effect my 50 percent bit and isn't worth it compared to the hassle! I'm not due to go on ups for 3 yrs, currently m4, so I guess ill see what that situation is like. I emailed my head about this yesterday and shes implied that ill go up as current conditions, as ill have passed this year. She also said I should still go up regardless of having been on maternity but is checking for me. She said it would still be discriminatory not to and that your evidence for progression can come from the previous 5 years not just that annual snapshot. First I've heard of that which is a good thing. Have you heard of that?