Given promotion at work, now pregnant and boss now talking about delaying promotion

angelfire

Hi, please could anyone advise where an employee would stand after being offered in writing a promotion (with 7k pay rise) from Jan 09 -then discovering they are pregnant? my boss is now talking about delaying my promotion until after my maternity leave. Can he do this? I have been offered in writing, accepted in writing but haven't yet had my new contract?

I work for local government and it would mean a buit of a pain to replace me for my maternity leave, but it could be done... I'm really worried, as this pregnancy was not planned, my partner's job is currently at risk due to the credit crunch and we really don't ahve the room for another child. However, we have worked out that we can make things work but only really on my new salary rom January.

all help appreciated

SomeBozo

Hi !!!!!!

Is the "promotion" your current job title with extra pay and responsibilities, or is a new postion created (ie new job title).

If its the former the employer can't recind it just because you are pregnant, if its the latter, theres no reason it can't be deferred until your back.

Bozo

angelfire

SomeBozo wrote: »

Hi !!!!!!

Is the "promotion" your current job title with extra pay and responsibilities, or is a new postion created (ie new job title).

If its the former the employer can't recind it just because you are pregnant, if its the latter, theres no reason it can't be deferred until your back.

Bozo

The promotion would mean an increase in role but change of title and the obvious pay rise. My current role would become obsolete... Although you state there is 'no reason', I can obviously list many reasons why is should go ahead, my question was more about whether he can legally do this after having formally offered the job and my formal acceptance?

SomeBozo

Although you state there is 'no reason'

Well for example if the promotion was to run a project that went live while you were off on mat leave, operationally they may want to delay the project until your back.

But the more I think of it, if they have made a offer in writing, I can't see a way around it for them.

I suspect the formal way is to lodge a grievance, but I would first try to talk to your manager, or failing that, a letter like :

Dear zzzzz

I returned the paperwork regarding my new role on xx/xx/xxxx to commence on zz/zz/zzzz.

To date I have not received the formal paperwork (including the new contract) confirming these arrangements. Please can you forward this at your earliest opportunity.

Yours etc.

The fact is that you are not olbliged to tell your employer you are expecting until much later, I assume you have told him.

I really can't see how they can get out of it now.

Bozo

angelfire

SomeBozo wrote: »

Well for example if the promotion was to run a project that went live while you were off on mat leave, operationally they may want to delay the project until your back.

But the more I think of it, if they have made a offer in writing, I can't see a way around it for them.

I suspect the formal way is to lodge a grievance, but I would first try to talk to your manager, or failing that, a letter like :

Dear zzzzz

I returned the paperwork regarding my new role on xx/xx/xxxx to commence on zz/zz/zzzz.

To date I have not received the formal paperwork (including the new contract) confirming these arrangements. Please can you forward this at your earliest opportunity.

Yours etc.

The fact is that you are not olbliged to tell your employer you are expecting until much later, I assume you have told him.

I really can't see how they can get out of it now.

Bozo

Thanks for this Bozo - there is no special project or anything like that that they would want to delay for. It WILL be harder to cover my maternity leave in this new role, but not impossible. The way our HR team work, because my new role only commences on 1st Jan, they have left the actual paperwork til later, but yes I have a formal signed offer from my boss and a copy of my letter of acceptance - all of which have been sent into HR.

SomeBozo

I wouldn't delay here. I would be checking this out with HR and your manager now. Any problems you have you will want to sort before this role starts and/or your mat leave.

Ring HR and speak to your manager.

Bozo

Conor_3

Personally I think it's perfectly reasonable to delay it. At the very least you're going to be off a few months and it's quite possible you'll not come back at all. There have been countless women who up to the birth had all the intentions of going back to work after maternity leave only to find that they can't actually bring themselves to do it when they've spent time with baby. Absolutely nothing wrong with that at all because that's the way you're wired to work.

maryjane01

There appar to be a few totally sexist men on this board. If the offer has been made and you have accepted, then they recind on the offer due to your pregnancy it is a clear case of sex descrimination as I see it. I think you should head straight to HR and get it sorted.

angelfire

Conor wrote: »

Personally I think it's perfectly reasonable to delay it. At the very least you're going to be off a few months and it's quite possible you'll not come back at all. There have been countless women who up to the birth had all the intentions of going back to work after maternity leave only to find that they can't actually bring themselves to do it when they've spent time with baby. Absolutely nothing wrong with that at all because that's the way you're wired to work.

That's the way I'm wired?! I beg your pardon?! What an unbelievable draconian way of thinking!

Well first of all, I have two other children and have returned to work after both pregnancies, on time and I know my own mind well enough at this point to be able to put firm plans in place, regarding returning to work this time. The thought of not returning has never even crossed my mind. I couldn't afford it for a start, especially given my current situation.

Secondly, I have worked up to this promotion for five years, gaining a degree in the process and working my way up the ladder. There's no way I would give up after all my hard work!

I'd thank you to either ask for more information before making comment in future, or to quite simply keep your offensive, sexist comments to yourself!

JimmyTheWig

Conor wrote: »

Personally I think it's perfectly reasonable to delay it. <snip> countless women <snip> that's the way you're wired to work.

I think this post says exactly why it is not on. In effect the OP is being penalised for being a woman. Just because "countless" women are "wired" this way doesn't mean the OP will be.

angelfire

maryjane01 wrote: »

There appar to be a few totally sexist men on this board. If the offer has been made and you have accepted, then they recind on the offer due to your pregnancy it is a clear case of sex descrimination as I see it. I think you should head straight to HR and get it sorted.

Indeed! I have to admit, it is quite some time since I heard a comment quite so sexist! To go back to the subject, I have contacted my union rep and he says the same thing.

Many thanks for your helpful reply!