Refused pay rise because I'm pregnant. Considering formal grievance - any point?

[CitizenOscar]

My manager has put in a case for my job & salary to be reevaluated on the basis that since my return from maternity leave 6 months ago I've taken on significantly more management responsibility.

She's now told me the panel have told her they won't consider the case as I'm due to go on maternity leave (due in July).

I think they were looking for an excuse not to give me a payrise - the case was submitted before they knew I was pregnant and they've been "considering" it since before Christmas. But since they've used this excuse, which seems to be illegal, is it worth me putting in a formal grievance?

I only have what my manager has told me as "evidence" and our bosses are usually pretty savvy about not writing that kind of stuff down - they've dealt with a lot of pregnancies & maternity leaves.

Is there any point?

Can you get it in writing from your manager? Ie can you ask her to confirm by email the content of your conversation?

I am not an HR expert but if that's the reason they have given, then it would seem to me to be sex discrimination.

Just found this which looks useful. I reckon write down as much as you can from memory, try and get evidence and go for grievance!

www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/work_e/work_discrimination_e/discrimination_at_work_because_of_pregnancy_or_maternity_leave.htm#applying_for_a_job_if_you_are_pregnant_or_on_maternity_leave

Examples of discrimination because of pregnancy or maternity leave

if your employer demotes or dismisses you, or stops you from having training or promotion opportunities, because you are pregnant or on maternity leave

Thanks for your replies. I had a word with my manager, to try to confirm exactly what was said & by whom.

I pointed out that if I wasn't considered for a pay rise because I'm pregnant, that would be discrimination. She hadn't thought of it that way and was quite distressed.

I've left it with her to go back to her boss (who was the one who suggested not putting me forward now I'm pregnant) and to HR for now.

One complicating factor is that the reason they can't afford to give me a payrise is due to the extra costs that are coming from my maternity pay etc.

I don't know. I'll see what happens I guess but I'm not holding my breath.

Would love to know if anyone's experienced anything similar and what the outcome was for you.

As far as I understand, I don't think that extra costs to do with your maternity pay is a lawful reason to not promote you. Anyway (and as I said I am not an expert) I'm pretty sure the government gives employers money for SMP and any extra company maternity pay they offer as part of your contract is hardly your fault.

If they were prepared to consider promoting you before you got pregnant then they should still be prepared to now. Let us know how you get on!

I had a v v similar situation. I asked them to put in writing why I wouldn't be getting it, "just to clarify". Lo and behold the pay rise was magically granted.