please help me part time working issue

[RosalindFranklinsNobelPrize]

There's recently been a restructuring at work. I've been part time for four years as the only person doing my job in my department. In my new office there are 4 colleagues who have a slightly different job title but appear to be doing the same job as me. They (3 women, 1 man) are full time, I'm part time. They are two grades above me on a managerial scale, which has also 2 weeks more holiday. They are also on an indefinite contracts and I am fixed term. Is there anything I can do?

Bump.

You mean you'd like to be on the same grade as them?

Have you tried speaking to the relevant manager, with explanations as to why you think the jobs are the same? If so, why did they disagree?

There are possible legal avenues given that one of the other roles is held by a man (quirk of the law means it doesn't matter that the others are women), but it's very complex and adversarial, so I'd avoid that route unless all others have failed.

I would like to be on the same grade as them, and I think I would be if I wasn't part time.

I have raised it with my manager and he said it when my contact is renewed in December they will consider it. However, I'm worried that there's a time limit on taking it further and I'm worried they are stalling me on purpose. I love my job and want to stay there.

The time limits only really apply when employment has ended or a situation is not ongoing. You should be fine to agree to discuss it next month and then take it forward if you aren't happy with the outcome. TBH, that's likely to be many months quicker than any sort of dispute, so I'd hang on.

Ok...I've writen a letter I'm going to take in on monday. What do you think? I've anonomised it a bit
I?m writing to follow up some verbal concerns I raised with you in October about my role and how it compares to that of the OOs in the team. Since I joined the team in October, it has more and more clear to me that my role and responsibilities are the same as those of the OOs in the team. However, I am on Grade 4 of the secretarial pay scale and they are on Grade 6 of the management pay scale. This not only means that my salary and holiday entitlement is less, but I also believe it affects my future chances of promotion and progression in my career. I am part time and all the OOs are full time. This however should not make a difference to my pay and conditions.

I would also like to address the matter of my fixed term contract. I have worked under a succession of fixed term contracts since I started work at Rosys workplace y 4 years ago. As I have now worked at Rosy' workplace for 4 years I would like to request that I am moved on to an indefinite contract

As Rosy's workplace does not discriminate on the grounds of sex, marital status, childbirth, or part-time working, I hope this inequity can be addressed as soon as possible. I am very happy in my role at Rosy's workplace apart from this matter and would like to progress with my career within Rosy's workplace.

Re the letter, I would outline the way in which your job is the same i.e. the specific responsibilities and tasks that you do which are comparable to theirs.

I don't think you need to mention the salary and holiday entitlement as tehy will know this is the case, not the fact you are part time.

I'd maybe address the fixed term contract issue separately. There are two big issues going on here and it may be too much to sort both out at once, but I'm not an HR guru so perhaps take other advice as well.

I'd leave out the bit about Rosy's workplace not discriminating - it doesn't need to be said. I like the last sentence as it shows that you are restricting your concerns to this specific issue.

Honestly? I think it's a bit aggressive and might make them shift it straight over to legal/external lawyers/put them on the defensive. The full/part time thing is just you looking for a reason for the difference at the moment isn't it - not something they've said? If so, I'd leave it out. As you've only just restructured, it could be a genuine oversight, and I think you'll get further if you go gently to start with. You can always roll out the accusations later if needs be.

How about something a bit more like:

"I?m writing to follow up some verbal concerns I raised with you in October about my role and how it compares to that of the OOs in the team. Since I joined the team in October, it has become more clear to me that my role and responsibilities are the same as those of the OOs in the team. However, I am on Grade 4 of the secretarial pay scale and they are on Grade 6 of the management pay scale. This not only means that my salary and holiday entitlement is less, but I also believe it affects my future chances of promotion and progression in my career.

You agreed that we could discuss this in more detail at my review in December, which I would like to do. If there is any information you would like me to gather in advance, or preparation you would like me to do, to facilitate this discussion, please do let me know. If there is any way we can progress this before the review, then obviously that would also be great.

I would also like to address the matter of my fixed term contract. I have worked under a succession of fixed term contracts since I started work at Rosys workplace y 4 years ago. As such, I would like to request that I am moved on to an indefinite contract. Please could we also discuss this at my review?"

[Though, incidentally OP, it doesn't make much difference in law if you are labelled fixed term or perm after such a long time]

What do you think?

Ribena,
I think your letter reads much better. Let's hope OP has gone for it.