Advice needed regarding downgrade of salary

kimmi_b

I am currently sifting my way through various employment law websites but was hoping someone on here may be able to offer some advice.

My partner has just seen some correspondence floating around his workplace from his HR dept suggesting that his and a colleagues roles should be moved from a Grade G to a Grade H (essentially moving him down one rung on the salary ladder). This would massively impact his salary to the tune of approx £7k per annum.

I wanted to know if this is legal. BTW they are not proposing any changes to the role - in fact the only changes to the job description are some small additional responsibilities

maninthestreet

Has your partner been officially informed of this proposed change?

kimmi_b

No and that's the problem. He has inadvertently seen an email about it so doesn't want to discuss it first with his manager. He is going into panic mode. I just wanted to know what rights he has or doesn't have should it become official.

DVardysShadow

Leave it be. If they unilaterally cut his pay, he can take it to an Industrial Tribunal, I believe. The norm is to cut the grading of a post and leave the post holder on the same salary, but not give increments.

Have you considered the possibility that the email was meant to be seen as a scare tactic?

kimmi_b

That's exactly what I said to him (the bit about downgrading the role but leaving him on same salary that is).

From what he has gleaned from the email, it was proposed by HR and it is being battled by both his Manager and Head of Dept so I don't think it will come to anything.

I have no idea if it was meant as a scare tactic or not - if so, it worked and if not, well it teaches him to keep his nose out of mailboxes and concentrate on doing his job!

maninthestreet

kimmi_b wrote: »

That's exactly what I said to him (the bit about downgrading the role but leaving him on same salary that is).

From what he has gleaned from the email, it was proposed by HR and it is being battled by both his Manager and Head of Dept so I don't think it will come to anything.

I have no idea if it was meant as a scare tactic or not - if so, it worked and if not, well it teaches him to keep his nose out of mailboxes and concentrate on doing his job!

Someone was careless in leaving a communication regarding such a senstive issue in a place where anyone could read it.

kimmi_b

Thanks to all who replied. OH is going to let his mgr come to him about it, if required, and in meantime is looking hard at himself to see if he can justify his salary.

Thanks again.