Payrise 'may not be granted' due to maternity and sick pay - can anyone advise?

[mrsteacher]

Some may guess who I am which is fine - changed name so that things are not directly traced back to me....

I am a teacher due to go up to the next level on my pay spine in September (for those who understand teachers' pay, it is the second level beyong the threashold - upper pay spine)

It is basically a formality in most schools (our head has said as much) and this year, myself and a few others are due for this pay rise.

Had meeting with boss this morning who said that he did not know whether he could recommend me for it as I my ;improvements; had to be 'substantial and sustained' and in his words, in the last 2 years, I have been either on maternity leave or on lond term sick (pregnancy related initially then post natal stress/sleep deprivation). The other people are going through automatically including one colleague who is just appalling.

I am sooooooooo annoyed and am about to look at my union website for the specific criteria that I need to show for 'substantial and sustained' improvements.

Just wondered about the legality of this - in performance related pay rises (which this effectively is) can this be done? Want to be armed with the facts.....

Many thanks

[gettheunionin]

If it's the NUT you are a member of, they should be very very helpful.

I had a long period of sick leave and eventually was unable to return to work due to ill health.

The Head was appalling when it came to following appropriate procedures and guidelines.

My regional NUT rep went in to the school and laid down the law. he also sent in the Inland Revenue Inspectors (unannounced) when the Head failed yet again to complete paperwork he was supposed to.

The NUT rep also sorted out an "agreed" reference for me. The school is not allowed to send out anything other than the reference we have agreed. All these hoops had to be gone through because the Head was a complete pillock basically, borne out by the fact that the year I left, 70% of the teaching staff left.

Anyway, I think it's worth getting a senior regional NUT rep in to help you.

[mrsteacher]

the senior NUT rep also happens to be the chair of our governors....
which makes things tricky...

I will ring the NUT tomorrow
thanks everyone