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Original poster

Managers pushing for meeting with HR?

21 replies

Alex8899 · 04/08/2023 03:19

Hi, I’m currently pregnant and have been asking HR for advice around different questions relating to maternity pay/leave. For 1 of my queries around the policies and procedures, it took them weeks and several email requests to even send the p&p. For my other query relating to contractual pay, I’ve asked in writing several times and still not had a response. Instead I’ve had an email where HR want to meet with my manager and I. This was scheduled in the day after it was requested by my manager… I have asked about the purpose of this meeting but not had a response from HR and my manager told me they don’t know what the meeting is about.
I ended up on sick leave (pregnancy related) so the meeting didn’t go ahead. When I’ve phoned in sick, a manager has asked me about this meeting with HR and that they will send me dates to schedule in again. They don’t even know when I will be returning to work yet! My query about contractual pay is no longer a question from my side, and even when I explained this, the manager said ‘it will be a short meeting then’.
I have stated I am happy to meet but only with a union rep. I feel co-erced into attending a meeting that is no longer relevant especially as I’ve heard HR have been unpleasant to colleagues around maternity leave questions.
Funnily enough, when I mentioned taking a union rep I was told I didn’t need one, but of course that is my choice!
What are my rights? Are all HR meetings mandatory or can I refuse? Any ideas what this might be about?…. I have Suspicions they’re trying to shut me up because I keep asking questions and they aren’t responding in writing!
Any help is appreciated.

OP posts:
Danikm151 · 04/08/2023 04:02

When pregnant I scheduled a meeting with HR myself. They went over what the processes are and had some stuff printed for me. Told me about the policy(which was on the intranet) matb1 form, health and safety assessment, how long I could take, accruing annual leave and childcare information for when i came back. the same info was emailed to me afterwards.

It was much easier to have a chat in person. Our hr is slow over email as there are over 3000 employees but once you have a contact to speak to they are good.

You don’t actually get your payment schedule until closer to your maternity leave as it’s calculated based on your earnings during your qualifying weeks but that has to be given to you.

Are you worried they are going to sack you? They would be stupid to risk it because of maternity protection.

Totalwasteofpaper · 04/08/2023 04:32

They werent engaging... now they are and you seem annoyed?
I don't understand why you dont want to meet...

Beyond tha.. just bring a union rep if you are that fussed and dont say anything in advance or just record the meeting

What are worried about? Being sacked?

HappyAsASandboy · 04/08/2023 08:22

This sounds like a totally normal way of HR managing the situation. The meeting is probably a chance for them to explain the process/policy, talk to your manager and you at the same time about the plans for your leave dates, maternity cover plans etc without having to have those conversations with each of you separately.

The need for/entitlement to a union rep to accompany you is normally about formal disciplinary meetings, for which you should have a formal invitation letter. This meeting doesn't sound like one of those at all, so I can see why HR are confused as to why you'd like a union rep with you. I suspect you have come across as very suspicious of their intentions by asking to involve a union rep in a meeting that's about your maternity leave.

I would suggest reading the information on gov.uk about your statutory rights as a pregnant employee (print out parts if it would help you) and your organisation's policy/procedure if you have it. Then go to the meeting. If they ask questions you don't want to answer or can't answer or don't think you should have to answer yet, just say you don't know and will get back to them when you do.

Unless they've given you some reason to believe they're going to behave badly, assume they're going to play fair?

Original poster
Alex8899 · 04/08/2023 08:37

Danikm151 · 04/08/2023 04:02

When pregnant I scheduled a meeting with HR myself. They went over what the processes are and had some stuff printed for me. Told me about the policy(which was on the intranet) matb1 form, health and safety assessment, how long I could take, accruing annual leave and childcare information for when i came back. the same info was emailed to me afterwards.

It was much easier to have a chat in person. Our hr is slow over email as there are over 3000 employees but once you have a contact to speak to they are good.

You don’t actually get your payment schedule until closer to your maternity leave as it’s calculated based on your earnings during your qualifying weeks but that has to be given to you.

Are you worried they are going to sack you? They would be stupid to risk it because of maternity protection.

Thank you, that’s really helpful and good things to discuss in the meeting. I appreciate it! HR are slow to respond but I find it strange how they have refused to respond at all on some things but not others. The company was sued a few years ago and gave out a huge payout to someone due to being unfair to them re Mat leave so I assume that’s why they won’t put anything to me in writing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Alex8899 · 04/08/2023 08:40

Totalwasteofpaper · 04/08/2023 04:32

They werent engaging... now they are and you seem annoyed?
I don't understand why you dont want to meet...

Beyond tha.. just bring a union rep if you are that fussed and dont say anything in advance or just record the meeting

What are worried about? Being sacked?

A few reasons, I’ve had a traumatic experience with HR previously (same company) and I had to leave a job due to a manager bullying me. And HR were also bullies. Hence why I am having my doubts.
Also, my friend query has now become redundant but they still want to meet which makes me suspicious.
And they will not tell me what the meeting is about, which I also find strange. It’s all very cryptic … so that’s why it’s gotten my back up.
Other reasons, but too many to list here

OP posts:
Original poster
Alex8899 · 04/08/2023 08:42

HappyAsASandboy · 04/08/2023 08:22

This sounds like a totally normal way of HR managing the situation. The meeting is probably a chance for them to explain the process/policy, talk to your manager and you at the same time about the plans for your leave dates, maternity cover plans etc without having to have those conversations with each of you separately.

The need for/entitlement to a union rep to accompany you is normally about formal disciplinary meetings, for which you should have a formal invitation letter. This meeting doesn't sound like one of those at all, so I can see why HR are confused as to why you'd like a union rep with you. I suspect you have come across as very suspicious of their intentions by asking to involve a union rep in a meeting that's about your maternity leave.

I would suggest reading the information on gov.uk about your statutory rights as a pregnant employee (print out parts if it would help you) and your organisation's policy/procedure if you have it. Then go to the meeting. If they ask questions you don't want to answer or can't answer or don't think you should have to answer yet, just say you don't know and will get back to them when you do.

Unless they've given you some reason to believe they're going to behave badly, assume they're going to play fair?

That makes sense.. yes I do have reasons to think why they won’t play fair. Personal experience and that of colleagues also. Thank you!

OP posts:
Aprilx · 04/08/2023 08:53

You have been asking questions and ne they have organised a meeting, presumably to cover off your questions. It sounds like a positive thing to me and you are being very odd about it.

This is not a disciplinary ado no you cannot bring your union rep and yes you do need to go to the meeting as it is a reasonable request of your employer.

You seem to be looking for trouble for no reason. I don’t believe an entire HR team is full of bullies. People don’t go into HR because they like bullying people.

Aprilx · 04/08/2023 08:55

And they will not tell me what the meeting is about

It is about your maternity leave, policies and procedures.

TheCatterall · 04/08/2023 09:34

@Alex8899 speak to your union rep and ACAS. I too would be nervous in a company that doesn’t have the best record if they set up a meeting and the manager couldn’t tell me what it was about (or who would be present - just them or HR as well?) and HR didn’t say. I mean seriously how can your manager not know what it’s about. Why would they waste their time having a meeting if they don’t!

it would have been really easy for them to say ‘it’s a standard meeting to discuss the maternity leave process and your rights’ etc.

like why I’m earth would folks not state what a meeting was for. I would definitely take union rep in as they still haven’t clarified what it’s about and they have previous history of being twats. That or explain you will be recording the meeting so you can ensure you’ve remembered it all correctly after due to maternity brain/concerns etc.

good luck!

OwlBabiesAreCute · 04/08/2023 12:16

This is not a disciplinary ado no you cannot bring your union rep

I'm a union rep and often go to non disciplinary meetings to accompany members. And the op 's company had already said she can take one with her.

morelippy · 04/08/2023 12:20

Given you've had difficulties before I imagine your manager wants HR there, in the same way as you want your union rep.

Whatyoutalkingabouteh · 04/08/2023 17:58

i imagine HR want to discuss all your questions which is what you wanted? I’d be very surprised they are doing anything underhand especially as you are protected as a pregnant employee. They are probably being very careful if taken to employment tribunal before. Most Hr are not bullies

Aprilx · 04/08/2023 18:49

OwlBabiesAreCute · 04/08/2023 12:16

This is not a disciplinary ado no you cannot bring your union rep

I'm a union rep and often go to non disciplinary meetings to accompany members. And the op 's company had already said she can take one with her.

So let me clarify. As it is not a disciplinary, there is no right to be accompanied.

OwlBabiesAreCute · 04/08/2023 20:34

Funnily enough, when I mentioned taking a union rep I was told I didn’t need one, but of course that is my choice!

...but the op's company have said they can be...

Original poster
Alex8899 · 04/08/2023 21:07

OwlBabiesAreCute · 04/08/2023 12:16

This is not a disciplinary ado no you cannot bring your union rep

I'm a union rep and often go to non disciplinary meetings to accompany members. And the op 's company had already said she can take one with her.

Thank you, that is really helpful.

OP posts:
Original poster
Alex8899 · 04/08/2023 21:08

TheCatterall · 04/08/2023 09:34

@Alex8899 speak to your union rep and ACAS. I too would be nervous in a company that doesn’t have the best record if they set up a meeting and the manager couldn’t tell me what it was about (or who would be present - just them or HR as well?) and HR didn’t say. I mean seriously how can your manager not know what it’s about. Why would they waste their time having a meeting if they don’t!

it would have been really easy for them to say ‘it’s a standard meeting to discuss the maternity leave process and your rights’ etc.

like why I’m earth would folks not state what a meeting was for. I would definitely take union rep in as they still haven’t clarified what it’s about and they have previous history of being twats. That or explain you will be recording the meeting so you can ensure you’ve remembered it all correctly after due to maternity brain/concerns etc.

good luck!

Yes exactly.. it’s all a bit strange!

OP posts:
Original poster
Alex8899 · 04/08/2023 21:10

Aprilx · 04/08/2023 08:53

You have been asking questions and ne they have organised a meeting, presumably to cover off your questions. It sounds like a positive thing to me and you are being very odd about it.

This is not a disciplinary ado no you cannot bring your union rep and yes you do need to go to the meeting as it is a reasonable request of your employer.

You seem to be looking for trouble for no reason. I don’t believe an entire HR team is full of bullies. People don’t go into HR because they like bullying people.

That’s a very odd response from you tbh and hostile. My union rep said I can have a rep there

OP posts:
Original poster
Alex8899 · 04/08/2023 21:12

Thanks for the responses everyone, that’s really helpful.

OP posts:
Aprilx · 04/08/2023 21:55

This reply has been deleted

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elkiedee · 06/08/2023 00:31

If they've agreed to you being accompanied to the meeting, by a union rep (even though they claim you don't need one), I think you should do so.

Also, if you have had pregnancy related sickness and you're not sure when you'll be able to return etc, this makes your situation more complicated, and is another good reason to seek union support, whether being accompanied or further advice.

And the anti union posters here, unions don't only deal with disciplinaries and I'm not sure why you feel the need to lecture the OP about not having the "legal right".

Original poster
Alex8899 · 13/08/2023 01:00

Thank you, that makes sense! Most appreciated xx

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