Pay Increase while on Maternity leave

Charlottesmum_3

Hi, I am just looking for some advice please. I have just found out that my work gave a pay increase while I was maternity leave but I didn't get it and am still on the same pay as I was before I left for maternity leave. I went on maternity leave on 30th May 2008 and I returned to work on the 1st July 2009 (using holidays accrued from May 09 -July-09) while I was on leave they gave everyone a pay increase except me as I was not physically at work, is this correct? I was lead to believe that while on maternity leave you were still entitled to receive pay increase and any bonus'?

Thanks

Caffca

Yes you should have the pay increase (legislation changed in 2005 re this) and not only should you be on the increased amount now, your employer has to recalculate your smp based on the new figure and pay any difference between what was originally paid you.


ETA: Couple of links
Q&A re pay increase http://www.cwj.co.uk/site/businessservices/q_a_march05_2.html

The actual statute document http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20050729.htm

and from direct.gov
If you get a pay rise
If your employer awards a pay rise which is effective at any time from the start of the set period used to work out your SMP and the end of your maternity leave, your employer must work out your SMP again and pay you any balance due to you

Debt_Free_Chick

I don't think it's quite as simple as "yes, you should get it". I believe it depends on the nature of the increase.

If all pay scales were increased by a fixed percentage e.g. 3% across the board, then yes - you should get it.

However, many employers now pay a "merit" increase which is based on personal performance and dependent on the employee hitting certain targets. If this was a merit increase, then you may not qualify as you won't have hit your targets.

It's a sticky option for employers and most "play safe" by giving employees on Maternity Leave. However, the regulations state ...

"In any case where -
(a) a woman is awarded a pay increase (or would have been awarded such an increase had she not then been absent on statutory maternity leave)"

So the key question is, would you have had an increase had you been at work ....?

Charlottesmum_3

Thanks for the quick replys. I believe everyone was given a 10.6% increase, it was a whole of company thing and not based on merit (as far as I can gather from speaking to fellow colleagues, they all received the same increase, including the part-time lazy git who works with me :mad:)

I have asked HR and they said they will look into it and get back to me.

Thanks again

Debt_Free_Chick

A 10% increase..!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW that's unbelievable. That's a recession and inflation busting increase.

Thinking about this again, if it were a general pay increase, then surely there was some announcement issued to all employees? If so, you should have received it. You should be receiving all announcements issued to "all employees". Something else to think about ....

Regards

Chinkle

Where do you work Charlottesmum - we all want to work there!!!!!