Pay frequency

[visagephoto]

My daughter has been with her employer for the past four or five years, and has always been paid fortnightly.

Now without any consultation her employers are introducing a monthly pay structure, and they've been informed that they'll get their normal two weeks pay at the end of March, but then their next wage won't be paid until the end of April.

Can an employer do this without consulting their workforce, and if so, don't they have to offer some sort of compensation to alleviate any hardship.

[Antonia @limeone.com]

May be a contractual term or a 'habit'. In either case following a lengthy period of time of one method a period of consultation is the best route forward.

I suggest your daughter and those affected discuss their concerns and factor a negotiated resolution ie staggered conversion to the new system. If this is refused then lodge a formal grievance in writing jointly by all affected staff.

This is a common issue with employers and most actually do end up paying a financial sweetner to help a complete speedy change or bring in the change over a couple of months.

It does not and should not need to get to the formal action stage and hopefully the employer will see sense, if not then we can assist your daughter and her co workers in factoring an agreed route forward.

[visagephoto]

Antonia

Thanks for your reply.

I'll pass your advice on, and hopefully they will manage to reach an amicable solution.

Thanks again.

[bwglaw]

As it may be a fundamental term in a contract of employment the employer may have to give 1 months notice of any change.

On the other hand the employer can argue that the change is necessary to be more cost effective and to take into account its current resources.


Jonathan

[YEM]

Can an employer do this without consulting their workforce, and if so, don't they have to offer some sort of compensation to alleviate any hardship.

Check out www.acas.org.uk for more information

[visagephoto]

Thanks Lucy

I checked the ACAS website but didn't find any information specific to my question, I have however passed the phone Number on to my daughter and suggested she gives them a call for advice.

[YEM]

Thanks Lucy

I checked the ACAS website but didn't find any information specific to my question, I have however passed the phone Number on to my daughter and suggested she gives them a call for advice.

I am registered with ACAS and do their online training packages - some are free. I am curerntly doing the Informing and Consulting course. If you register - you may be able to find more out!

I'm sure that they can advise your daughter over the phone too

[bwglaw]

ACAS are useful for guidance - please note they do not give legal advice. They will always suggest you contact a lawyer.

I would be more than happy to have a quick look into your daughter's situation if everything can be emailed to the address below.


Jonathan

[sjbeale]

When varying terms and conditions in this way there needs to be a period of consultation with the employees concerned with the right to be accompanied to get their agreement.

There needs to be a period of notice and wherever possible a loan facility to tide over the period of hardship although this is not always possible given the size of a company.

In the past as an HR Manager I have given the employees the opportunity to go to the bank to sort out any direct debits that may be affected, this would be in working time.

The change needs to be confirmed in writing clarifying the details.

SJ Beale FCIPD