Employer suggesting a pay cut for working contracted hours - where do I stand?
Context: England, ~3 years at the company, office-based role. I have an ADHD diagnosis my employer is aware of. I’ve recently been off for stress/burnout and am on a phased return following an occupational health assessment.
The situation: My contracted hours are 37.5hrs/week. The company culture expects significantly more. During my phased return I’ve been working my contracted hours and it’s been sustainable. I requested this continue long-term, alongside flexible start times as a reasonable adjustment for my ADHD — both options keep me at or within my contracted hours.
What I’ve been told this week:
1. Any reduction from current hours would result in pay implications, even if I’m within contracted hours
2. Flexible start times as a reasonable ADHD adjustment would also have pay implications
HR have previously confirmed there are no fixed policies on phased returns and it’s case-by-case. I have the above in writing.
My questions: Can they legally threaten a pay cut for working my contracted hours? Can they attach pay implications to reasonable adjustments that don’t reduce my contracted hours?