Six Month Rule
A reader from Midlothian has been in touch on behalf of her daughter - who stopped working for the council in 2008.
Having heard about equal pay - the young woman wrote to the council to enquire about any back pay she was due - only to be told that she would be getting nothing - as she had to register a claim within six months of ending her employment.
Now technically this is true - because the employment tribunals won't accept any claims that are outside of the six month time limit.
But the council is hiding behind the law - because there's nothing to stop the council from acting as a good employer and making an offer to staff who have retired or moved to another job. It's called doing the right thing.
In fact, the employer and the trade unions had a responsibility to advise people of their rights to equal pay - and their failure to give proper advice has cost many ex-council workers very dear.
So, if you are retiring, leaving for another job outside the council or moving to another job inside the council - make sure you get proper advice.
Having heard about equal pay - the young woman wrote to the council to enquire about any back pay she was due - only to be told that she would be getting nothing - as she had to register a claim within six months of ending her employment.
Now technically this is true - because the employment tribunals won't accept any claims that are outside of the six month time limit.
But the council is hiding behind the law - because there's nothing to stop the council from acting as a good employer and making an offer to staff who have retired or moved to another job. It's called doing the right thing.
In fact, the employer and the trade unions had a responsibility to advise people of their rights to equal pay - and their failure to give proper advice has cost many ex-council workers very dear.
So, if you are retiring, leaving for another job outside the council or moving to another job inside the council - make sure you get proper advice.
