We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Can they cut my partners hourly rate?

My partner has worked for the same food manufacturing company for 14 years as a finished product auditor (FPA), they were brought out by a larger group about 2 years ago, and they are getting alot more work and have employed alot more staff, so I guess there doing well.

Yesterday my partner received a letter saying that they had noticed a few anomolies with some peoples pay grades, and realised he has in been paid the wrong hourly rate, and they need to bring his wage in line with the other FPA's. They will from September be reducing his wage by approximately 50p per hour. They also state they will not be requesting for him to pay the extra back as the mistake was theirs.

However after asking questions at work today it comes out that some of the new FPA's employed since the take over, on different contracts have discovered that, like my partner other FPA's who have been there longer receive more money, so understandably they went to the HR department, and asked why they were not paid the same rate. So it looks to me like they are lying and just trying to cut their wages so that they are paid the same as the new employees.

Can they do this? He is in a union and will ask the rep to become involved, but he seems to think he won't have a leg to stand on. He has been paid this same rate for at least the five years I have known him.

Thanks

Wendy

Comments

  • AP007
    AP007 Posts: 7,109 Forumite
    A company can surely cut anyone's pay rate as long its not less than the NMW
    We’ve had to remove your signature. Please check the Forum Rules if you’re unsure why it’s been removed and, if still unsure, email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • Naf
    Naf Posts: 3,183 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You mean that he and some others are on a higher rate than others newly employed to do the same job?
    I don't think they can - its written in his contract. What happened when the new company took over, did he get a new contract, or was he transferred over on his old T&Cs?
    Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.
    - Mark Twain
    Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon: no matter how good you are at chess, its just going to knock over the pieces and strut around like its victorious.
  • AP007
    AP007 Posts: 7,109 Forumite
    Naf wrote: »
    You mean that he and some others are on a higher rate than others newly employed to do the same job?
    I don't think they can - its written in his contract. What happened when the new company took over, did he get a new contract, or was he transferred over on his old T&Cs?
    don't they just give the staff a new contract with the new rate?
    We’ve had to remove your signature. Please check the Forum Rules if you’re unsure why it’s been removed and, if still unsure, email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • mcfisco
    mcfisco Posts: 1,957 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Naf wrote: »
    You mean that he and some others are on a higher rate than others newly employed to do the same job?
    I don't think they can - its written in his contract. What happened when the new company took over, did he get a new contract, or was he transferred over on his old T&Cs?

    I don't think I've ever had a salary specified in a contract, initial job offer, but never a contract.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.4K Life & Family
  • 261.5K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.