Discrimination over pension sweetener and goodwill payments?

GoingSolo

I’m due to take VER in Sept this year. Then due to training issues the company asked if I’d stay on to Sept 2015 to help with training which I agreed to. My VER & severance is lockedin and protected and can only go up when I do leave in July 2015.

But in the meantime the company is pushing ahead with a change in pension schemes from DB to DC. As it was I would have joined for 6 months to keep company benefits such as death in service etc. Now with staying on I’ll be paying in for circa 18 months.

The company has now asked the union members of which I am one to vote on accepting a payment (sweetener) andthe new pension or industrial action from which I’m being excluded as I’m taking VER via ‘Project ***. Reason those taking VER are not included in getting the payment is ‘they are leaving with a sack full of money and don’t have their heart in the company or play a part in its future’ according to a site manager who told us in a comms meeting at work.

Also I’ve heard that staff under the same Project have been asked to stay on to help with the start up of a petrochemical plant from a major shutdown are receiving a goodwill payment circa £5k to help out yet for my extra 11 months I’ll receive no goodwill payments other than a wage as it is now.

Your thoughts please

getmore4less

could you have left and set up as an independent contractor?

when companies are asking people to stay this is often the most lucrative solution

GoingSolo

getmore4less wrote: »

could you have left and set up as an independent contractor?

No. Union wouldn't allow that either on the site along side it's members.

mountainofdebt

What would happen if you wanted to now leave in September 2014 instead of staying on?

GoingSolo

Don't know's the answer.

Still pay into pension to get death in service benifts though.

GoingSolo

Looks like new pension is going ahead from 1st August 2014 so will have to pay in for 11 months.

Undervalued

Most people seem to fail to understand that discrimination is perfectly lawful unless it is on one of the handful of grounds prohibited by law (e.g. race, sex etc).

Apart from this there is no obligation whatsoever to treat employees equally.

GoingSolo

GoingSolo wrote: »

Also I’ve heard that staff under the same Project have been asked to stay on to help with the start up of a petrochemical plant from a major shutdown are receiving a goodwill payment circa £5k to help out yet for my extra 11 months I’ll receive no goodwill payments other than a wage as it is now.

BINGO.

Turns out I'm due the 'Sweetner'. Will loose a chunk at 40% to the tax man though :mad: but hoping to to be able to put it in new pension scheme so I'll get the lot.

We have Friday comms at work once a month and they have only gone and put the info in print :T

Working on the £3k as they asked me to stay on so have to pay into new pension scheme if I want 6 months life insurnace etc that the scheme provides.

GoingSolo

Didn't get the £3k but bagged the £5k less tax.

Now I'm happy in VER :beer: