HR have changed policy without notifying employees

[redcat1988]

I'll keep it brief -

Company HR have changed the maternity and paternity policy without notifying or consulting with employees and just stuck it on the Company intranet.

Previous maternity and paternity policy was emailed to everyone when it was last updated about 2 years ago. This recent update (whenever it occured since) wasn't emailed. Every other company policy change is emailed.

Its not in my contract that I am entitled to enhanced pay, but in my view given it is an amount paid to all women and men on a length of service if she (or partner) is pregnant... this doesn't mean they can just change it without consultation.

Has anyone been through similar? Trying to get through to maternity alliance is impossible. May just go straight to lawyers...

I haven't had any experience of this but I think you should get in touch with your union or if your not in one ACAS.

Also, 'pregnant then screwed' are a good source of advice.

If you have a recognised trade union in your workplace then the negotiation takes place with them on behalf of employees, whether they’re union or not.

It depends on the change.

I worked for a company that tried to change the maternity policy without notifying employees. The original policy was very favourable and was in everyone's contracts so when someone got pregnant they tried to give them the new policy, they pushed back and showed them what their contract stated. They had to honour the original policy for everyone who had started before the change was made.

What does your contract say?

Unless your contract says you are entitled to it, an employer is entitled to change policy without notice or consultation. Policies are generally not contractual. Since you say that there is no contractual right to enhanced pay (and presumably no other contractual right) then I am afraid your view is incorrect - they can do as they wish. It is one of the factors to look out for when taking a job - whether such things are contractual or just "current policy".

Only contractual changes need to be consulted upon. If enhanced mat pay is included in your contractual terms then they must consult with you. If it’s not in your contractual terms they don’t need too.

It Very much depends on the specific wording in your contract

Company policies and the handbook can be changed without notifying employees - we’ve just done it ourselves as we’ve changed the cctv and plan to use it to monitor employees and for use in disciplinary’s whereas our previous policy stated we wouldn’t use it for these reasons.

As others have said, unless there’s something overwriting this in your contract then they’re within their rights.

What is the actual change they have implemented?

Hi All -

Apologies, completely forgot to come back and reply to these helpful responses.

I spoke to ACAS, who gave me some useful advice. However, in the end, it wasn't necessary as I pushed back anyway being direct, firm and short and company gave me the pay under the better policy.

Employer has since corrected the policy formally.

Advice from ACAS suggested I would have been entitled to better policy. Bit long winded to explain here and nuanced on the situation. In short, I was happy with the service provided by them.

First time on maternity leave, so really was foreign territory to me.

Now very happy with new baby who was born in early September ☺️

First of all congratulations on your new baby , I hope they are doing well.

And secondly well done for standing your ground , I am so glad you got the better deal.