NHS Staff bank

creeping_jesus

Hi, I am wondering if anyone here works for the NHS, specifically the staff bank? I have a couple of questions that I just can't get answers for and I'm going round and round in circles with different HR departments.

First off I'll explain a little on the background.
Prior to Sept 2011 I worked for the NHS, gathered 5 years of continuous service, with the pension and all, (in the same pay band). After that I went to uni full time and my boss put me on their staff bank service. I was told I could work whenever I needed to and they would sort it, so I worked on and off until November and my last paycheck was December. In that time, I was given several different answers regarding continuous service, ranging from it doesn't affect to it stops it completely. In the end I thought I would get on with uni and hopefully get a slightly better job after (I was band 2).

Now everything has gone wrong and I need to work. I got accepted for a job about 2 weeks ago, for a band 2 position, and my question is, if I had 5 years continuous, would I start right down the bottom again due to the bank work or would I start on pay point 4 (or 5?)?

No-one seems to be able to give me answers, the HR dept at the hospital I got the job for said they'd spoken to the one I worked at previously and was told I left in September, despite the fact I had worked after that! And this has caused me a problem due to the fact that the job I applied for was internal.

I'm wondering, if it means I'll lose £1500 a year from having to start at the bottom, then it might be an idea to look around for other jobs. I've never had a problem finding myself unemployed but I love the area I work in, hence the fact I've stayed at band 2 for 5+ years.

Many thanks for any advice.

milliemonster

If you were employed on agenda for change terms and conditions, then as long as you don't have a break of more than 12 months, your previous continuous service counts so you should be able to start back on the same point at which you left

creeping_jesus

Thanks, I couldn't find anything regarding continuous service and pay points so you've put my mind at ease!

ohreally

Refer to sec12 of your terms of service handbook - your union rep can also advise.

bluesnake

thought if you have left the NHS for more than 30 days, then your pension is effected? I know that if you were on the old pension scheme, after rejoining over 30 days, you will be put onto a new scheme.

As i said, i'm unsure about the first sentence I'm on the old scheme and want to leave, so have to have a break of less than 30 days.