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Original poster

AIBU to find this frustrating?

10 replies

BrightBlueCast · 02/02/2021 17:53

Started a new job on 4 January. Within about a week I got my contract. Now it's lockdown and everyone is at home but still working (access to emails, servers etc). I'm enrolled onto the health scheme but nothing has reached me about how to use it - I chased HR and got the impression something is on its way to me by post from the provider. I asked about the pension scheme (never had a work one before, very eager to learn all about it, as I'm not well-provided for in this regard) and told I'd be enrolled at end of Jan in the payroll. Enquired about it again today and said I'd like to read about the pension and was told I'll get something from the provider by the end of Feb. Told that I don't have to sign anything, so inferring that I'm not in deed of any general information. I want to make personal contributions (which nobody has actually asked me about) and so I really want to get cracking on with it.
AIBU to think it's a bit off that they're not being just a bit more helpful. Surely, these days, info packs are pretty generic and someone could send me the relevant PDF to read. I'm 5 weeks into the job and don't feel it's unsusual to be asking questions but I'm getting quite bad vibes for asking.

OP posts:

Original poster

BrightBlueCast · 02/02/2021 17:54

in need, that should say

OP posts:

TheUndoingProject · 02/02/2021 17:59

Given you only signed the contract a few weeks ago I think YABU expecting so much information to be provided so quickly. It will take time to get you enrolled on the scheme and so on.

Aprilx · 02/02/2021 18:14

I think you need to be more patient considering your enrolment date was within the last week. I would expect the pension provider to be the one to liaise with you over it not your employer and they will only do that once they see you as newly enrolled. There is definitely nothing to get a bad vibe about here.

Original poster

BrightBlueCast · 02/02/2021 18:15

Is it so hard to email a welcome pack, though? It's not ' so much information', it's a couple of PDFs which no doubt exist. I found in my predecessor's email a 'welcome pack' of staff benefits (which covers it all). I don't know why they can't send me the updated version of that. I'm happy to read the one left behind by my predecessor but it's a couple of years old ...

Surely that's what HR depts do? I wouldn't keep my colleagues waiting for things that it's my job to provide (I hit the ground running on day one, and was hosting a zoom conference by 3 pm on the first afternoon and have pretty much continued this way since).
Small company. Not a large turnover of staff (I'm the only newbie). Nobody on furlough. Not even a 'I'm really sorry, we're behind.'

OP posts:

Snoringmutt · 02/02/2021 19:13

@BrightBlueCast

It's a small company - do they even have a HR dept? You may find that everyone is flat out trying to keep their heads above water and they'd like to get all that stuff to you but they just don't have time with a million other things to do. They probably don't recruit very often so they don't have a handy pack to give out. You'll join your pension when they do the first payroll - it's often auto enrollment - so you don't need to sign anything. The pension company will then email you so you can set up an account.

Vslightlystressy · 02/02/2021 20:57

You will get welcome information from the pension scheme provider when you enrolled - presumably after the February payroll information has been submitted to them. To be honest I think you need to be a little more patient - it is really difficult at the moment - I am sure you will get the information you need as soon as they can send it out.

SeasonFinale · 02/02/2021 22:22

Do you have a probation period? Often enrolment to pension is after satisfactory completion of probation.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 02/02/2021 22:35

As above sometimes you only qualify after a probation period?
Also it hasn't been that long and if providers are all working from home as well , everything is taking a little longer

Snoringmutt · 02/02/2021 23:10

@SeasonFinale

Do you have a probation period? Often enrolment to pension is after satisfactory completion of probation.

I think providing a pension is now compulsory for all staff unless you earn under around £10,000 or you opt out - whether you are in a probation period or not.

SeasonFinale · 03/02/2021 16:15

@snoringmutt
"I think providing a pension is now compulsory for all staff unless you earn under around £10,000 or you opt out - whether you are in a probation period or not."

This is not the case - Employers can postpone for a number of reasons including probation - see link

www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/employers/new-employers/im-an-employer-who-has-to-provide-a-pension/work-out-who-to-put-into-a-pension/postponement

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