Backdating of voluntary pay cuts

concernedemployee101

So a query for anyone who might be more knowledgeable than me.

My employer has recently taken the (somewhat understandable) decision  in the current climate to request that all employees voluntarily submit to a temporary 20% pay cut. 

They have however elected to backdate this pay cut to the beginning of this month (two weeks ago). The knock on effect being that my colleagues and I have not been given the time or opportunity to financially plan and make the necessary adjustments to our outgoings, in preparation for the pending pay reduction.

Is this legally acceptable or a grey area and therefore subject to interpretation?

[Deleted User]

As you mentioned it is voluntary, so I suspect you voluntarily agreed to that from the beginning of the month?

concernedemployee101

Not agreed to yet. Oending so we're still awaiting the official variation letter.

concernedemployee101

*pending      

sharpe106

They can't just impose a backdated pay cut I would state you have agreed to it from x date. However if they do it is up to you how much you really want to fight it. 

JReacher1

If you refuse then they’ll have to make further savings eg potential redundancy