Can My Employer Reduce My Pay for Same Work??....

johnpac

Hope this is the correct section to post in.

Im currently on an hourly rate at my place of work, my working week varies (not by much) each week, but i average around 50hrs per week over the year. So i can work out my rough anual wage is around £15K. I also get a bonus scheme which works out at around £24 a week or £1200 per year on top. so around £16.2K (give or take).

My employer is now trying to put me a set sallery rate of £14K a year, but only based on 48hrs, altho i average 50hrs!! (technically paying me less than my current hourly rate for the same work).
But increase my bonus rate (which is 'near' guaranteed each week as we can predict the ammount of work for the year). So the offered lower sallery rate of £14k, but higher bonus works out around the same £16.2k.

Can my employer force me to accept this salery?? (technically giving me a pay cut from basic 15k to 14k but increasing bonuses to make the difference??).
As altho the new salery is set each week, the bonus sheme isnt and can vary a bit, some weeks up some down. We also dont get payed for any overtime etc.

I was told the hourly rate i am payed would be a training rate for the job, and once i went on a 'set salery' i would be getting a better deal and increase in money, which it seams im not.

Advice please.........

RoCas

Hi John,

Welcome to MSE!
I don't have any experience in this but you could contact ACAS who will definitely be able to advise you.
http://www.acas.org.uk/

Hope this helps.

Quintain_2

Any other changes in conditions?

Is the new 'salary' for a staff position?

Are you currently paid if you are sick?

Will the new scheme pay if you are sick?

Sometimes changing from an hourly rate to a salaried staff rate brings other benefits.

You may have to weigh up the advantages .....

Sumostar

Hi

An employer cannot just change your terms & conditions of employment. If they do then you can take action for breach of contract and possibly unauthorised deductions from wages.

Take proper advice.

HugoSP

This is a rel can of worms so I'll summarise the main points.

Firstly, 50 hours per week? Their new target of 48 is in line with European law for the maximum working week. It looks like they're finally trying to comply!

Secondly. your employer cannot force you to accept the lower salary. However, practically speaking he could decide that you're too expensive to employ. If you were then made redundant, you would have to argue that you had been discriminated against because you refused to accept a change in your ts and cs.

Whilst you may be successful in arguing this, the rewards are few.

As a TU rep at my lst place of work I had to advise a number of members who were approached wrt losing overtime on leu of bonuses. The company basically wanted them to perform better, which in principle I didn't see as a problem.

In practice they were actually better off under the new package. One girl did not accept the new Ts and Cs. She was not treated any differently in any way.

Whether or not your employer decides to treat you any differently for your insisting on staying on the old Ts and Cs, only you could conclude. However, in your case, why not suggest discussing a trial period of 6 to 12 months, taking into account seasonal variations in bonus you may earn.

This approach will help you case considerably. Make the suggestion in writing and keep a copy for yourself. Do NOT at this time offer to work a trial peroid but offer to DISCUSS it. You will be seen to be willing to work with the company without being browbeaten into the new Ts and Cs.

H