Pay reduction for working from home

[Coughingchildren5]

I wonder if anyone can advise me on how to play this.

I have worked for a company for several years and my contract states my working hours and that one day will be from home. In reality my hours and working from home day change regularly to fit around what my manager has me down to do but I try to keep to schedule because of childcare.

The company has just published a new policy stating that if you work from home you will have your pay decreased by the percentage of your working week you are working from home. This applies to the London weighting part of pay only and also only if it's a regular thing. So not if you have random home working days.

I think this is ridiculous and mean but anyway. How should i play it? Can I refuse a reduction to my pay? What happens if they just start reducing my pay?

I want to be prepared because it's quite upsetting. Thanks in advance!

That sounds ridiculous! Surely the London weighting is because you have to be in the office at least sometimes, hence living in commutable distance? I'd be very cross with that. most people working from home save the company money

How much is the difference?

No commenting saves time and money for yourself. Most jobs are slightly more restricted when working rom home so you can't do the exact same job you do when on site.

No commuting I meant

There is no saving on commuting as I can't ask tfl to refund one day of my travel card lol
I am not really arguing the principle as they have obviously made their mind up already, I'm just asking for some advice on my employment rights if anyone knows?

Assuming your Londom weighting is in your contract, I would be really surprised if they can do this. I'm not a lawyer but pay is surely contractual and protected? If you're in a union, give them a ring, or ACAS if you're not.

BoomBoom - depends on the commute. Most people commuting from outside of London don't save anything working from home occasionally, because a season ticket works out roughly the same as buying 3 returns a week. Plus working from home Costa in electric, heating etc.

*costs (you can tell my London weighting goes on coffee..)

We get paid more for working from home in terms of an allowance annually to cover heating/electricity etc. Broadband and telephone line. Office furniture (in office we have to hot desk) and then travel paid from the moment we open front door and go out - both time and costs.
I don't get London allowance although my office is in London. Homeworkers attached to a London team do even though they may live outside London. It's not totally fair but the homework is makes it not worth the battle.

Did the company just published the policy and implement a (20%?) cut to your salary with no consultation with staff? I'm amazed if so. Not only are they arbitrarily penalizing you for an agreed work pattern covered in law (right to be considered for flexible working) but they have forced it through in policy with no justification or consultation for a contractual change. Massive shifting of goalposts

Have you worked there for 2 years?

I would put your objections in writing and keep a record. Ask for their response in 7 working days if they've already started making deductions. Also check with other affected colleagues as you could put in a joint grievance from all of you.

Apologies I'm on my phone and missed that they haven't started the deductions. You need them to state from when the change will start. Still put in your objections in writing through.

If you do it as a group grievance even if it's 2 of you it will increase the impact.

I read it as London weighting part only, @daisychain01. So 20% of a portion of her salary. iirc *no longer in uk) London weighting are between 2 and 5K, so a decrease in salary of £400 -£1000 For one days home working.

Coughing are they going to introduce an allowance for heating, furniture etc for home workers?

My dh gets paid more for being at home because we are using our electricity and broadband , wear and tear etc !!

Will they be paying your bills and internet for working from home? I'm guessing not. I'd be raising a grievance

Thanks for all your replies. I have requested more information but the HR person I spoke to made it clear I could expect a reduction in my pay to kick in at some point.

I am really cross but trying to stay calm about it.

I have worked in this pattern for more than two years.

Yes you're right sandblue my bad! I would still put in a grievance OP

OP I would check your contract of employment to see if London weighting Is shown as a contractual commitment by your employer. If you are in a Union see if they can give you advice based on your employment contract. They are still effectively penalising you for a legitimate right to flexible working by reducing your London weighting allowance which, if you have agreed a FW pattern, they would find hard to argue against.

I still feel you could take issue with them about it. But pick your battles, calculate how much you stand to lose. If it's only a small amount you need to ask yourself if it's worth making yourself unpopular over.

Sorry, only put in the grievance if it is a battle worth fighting wishes for an edit button