Maternity replacement being paid WAAYYY more than me!

[kirstywursty012]

Hi all,

I've read a few posts on people raising concerns about mat cover earning more than them but I thought I'd put this up as its a little more specific.

I'm currently 36 weeks preggo and preparing to go on mat leave in the new year - I'm an Account Manager (the only one) at a software startup and been here for 3 years. My boss has been looking for a replacement for me but is not advertising it as maternity cover but as a new AM on the team (he's seen it as a good opportunity to grow the team as we've signed loads of new clients over the past couple of months.)

He's been very coy about how much this new hire is going to be paid and laughed off when I've asked. The job description has appeared as "competitive salary" but I just found it on one board and it starts at DOUBLE my basic salary. I nearly fell off my chair!

I'm only getting statutory mat pay and a bit worried about how we'll cover the mortgage... I've even considered coming back for 2 days a week after 8 weeks because I think I'll really need the money.

In terms of the JD. There is nothing on there that I don't already do. I.e it doesn't say anything about managing a team or any more senior responsibilities.

Is this legal??

yes it's legal. even normal - when you are recruiting for maternity cover (a) you need a higher calibre of competence as they will have to hit the ground running and pick things up much more quickly than a normal appointee. (b) their job is intrinsically less stable than a proper position as you could ask to return at any time - that uncertainty of tenure attracts a higher compensation.

however, keep a printout of the advert you found. when you return to work, if they keep the new-hire on at the higher wage and their job description is the same as yours then you have evidence for an equal-pay claim.

nb though - they have no obligation to let you come back 2/3 days a week if it doesn't suit the business needs. you have the right to return to the same job. any changes are at their discretion. their only obligation is to consider your request but it is very easy for them to say no.

Thanks iLevictoiChete - that's really helpful! However the role isn't being advertised as Maternity Cover, its a permanent role? Does that make a difference.

Also when you say "the same job" - does that mean I should expect to get my accounts back? I'm also worried about my key big spend accounts being taken off me and given to the new AM.

I’ve done a couple of maternity covers in the past and my pay guide has always been twice what the incumbent earns.
I had no security of tenure, have to put in lots of extra hours of preparation because all the accounts and people were new to me, and in the past I didn’t get things like a car allowance or pension, that the permanent employee had.
It also works in your favour. If the replacement is that much more expensive, they are unlikely to want to keep them on.

Sorry, cross post.

I don’t think they have to give you the same job back, they have to give you a job of the same grade, on the same remuneration. No they don’t have to give you the same accounts back.

Can people please read this properly- the role ISNT being advertised as Mat cover, it’s an additional role.
It’s unfair OP but I don’t know if it’s illegal.
Good luck with getting your clients back when you come back to work too!

Hoppinggreen - Argh so annoying! Finally starting to understand all the controversy about working mums now. This little bub better be worth it!

It is not illegal for someone else doing your role to be paid substantially more than you unless it is for a discriminatory reason, e.g. you are being paid less because you are a woman.

What happens when you return to work depends on how much maternity leave you take. If you take up to 6 months they must give you your old job back. That doesn't necessarily mean they have to give you the same accounts but they would struggle to justify it if the accounts they give you leave you with much lower earnings potential.

If you take more than 6 months and it is not reasonably practical for you to return to your old job your employer must give you a suitable alternative job on similar terms and conditions. Again, a job with significantly lower earnings potential wouldn't be adequate.

Not illegal, There are about 5 of us at the same level at work and we all earn differently despite similar experience, Some of us are better at negogiating than others and it also depent on what the market was like when we were hired etc,
It doesn't matter if its advertised as mat cover or not, You are entitled to come back to a similar role though but not an identical one..
Hope that's some help