Recruitment + Retention Allowance- who can get it?

rattters

Does anyone know about recruitment and retention allowance within the NHS?
A colleague asked me to check her payslip as she didn't think she had been paid correctly. Points of note are:
1. We have been qualified same length of time (11 years) and are on the same level on band 6
2. We get basic hours at the same hourly rate
3. She gets an additional 30p an hour more for her unsocial hours than me- and has done for some time and doesn't know why
4. She also gets a payment of £40 approx called recruitment and retention allowance per month
5. She has worked for the same trust since qualifying
6. I have worked for the trust for 4 years

I have read up what I can - but am unsure if I am entitled to this payment. It seems a little unfair that a colleague earns more for exactly the same job! (No disrespect to her at all )

My quandry is I don't want to call pay services and they find out she isn't entitled to it anymore!!!!

Any ideas?

browneyedbazzi

Why not call payroll and say you've heard about a recruitment and retention allowance and ask them what it is and how a person qualifies for it - without mentioning your friend's name? That way you should be able to get accurate information from the people who know and your friend isn't at risk of losing out.

A lot of organisations offer incentives for long service - it isn't unfair at all. Yes you do the same job, but this sort of small incentive recognises an employee's loyalty to the organisation and can reduce staff turnover (and save money because it's a lot more expensive to recruit and train new people than to keep the good staff you already have!).

rattters

Cheers for that- sometimes I over think things too much!! An anonymous call making a general enquiry would do the trick

I suspect it is for long term service with the same trust.

rattters

Have just spent the last 50 minutes trying to speak to someone who knows about this. Payroll say they only act on what they are told to pay and speak to HR. I spoke to HR and they haven't a clue- told me to speak to my manager. My manager doesn't know anything!!! No-one in the trust knows about R+R allowance or if/when it was applied to any members of the trust.....hhhmmmm. :wall:

ohreally

The allowance is job dependant. Look in your handbook for list - table 11

Sec 5 and annexes J&R. Long term and short term allowances.

rattters

Thanks ohreally! I did have a brief look at the handbook- but didn't see annexe J+R. It would appear that certain groups of NHS emplyes were given NRRP during the transitional period of introducing AFC- but I thought that was in 2004. Myself and my colleague qualified and were working in 2000 and the NRRP was only for new entrants.

I have even spoken to HR Consultant at the Trust- and she doesn't know anything about it- it's quite frustrating that people in very senior positions and managers with control of the purse strings aren't aware of this- or at least aren't aware of who has been awarded this allowance, when, and how long for???

I DID find out that the extra 30p per hour my colleague gets for her unsocial hours is not related to RRP- so the plot thickens :huh:

ohreally

The annexes are towards the rear of the book - if you're missing, you can download an updated document from NHS Employers website. http://www.nhsemployers.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/AfC_tc_of_service_handbook_fb.pdf

You really need to raise your concerns with TU rep now as the information you are being supplied with appears patchy (i'm being kind here).

rattters

Cheers again for the advice.
I can't send you a PM yet (60 minute rule!!!)

I will keep you posted

rattters

Well- finally spoken to someone who knew what they were talking about!!!
Retention and recruitment premia was applied to certain employees during the transition from Whitley pay scale to AFC (2004/2005). In terms of Maternity-only new entrants got it to bridge the shortfall they would have had going from band E on the old scale to band 6 on the AFC scale. Midwives on band F would not have lost anything. My colleague qualified in 2002 so was still a band E when the changeover happened!
It will cease to be paid from April 2013.

Case closed m'laud

rattters

Good grief- need to open the case again!!!
Asked another colleague at work about this- she qualified in 1987 and she gets it??????:huh:

Now i just don't know what to think- Our RCM rep is off long term sick.....

ohreally

Is there no other rep within the organisation?

RCM should have a telephone contact at regional level.