Working for the NHS and also salary advice

Bettyboop

Hi All,

Just a quick one again...sorry.

I have been offered a job at the NHS on condition that I get through the Occupational Health Screening stage.

I deliberately didn't discuss the salary at the interview as that is always a NO - NO. The contract states the salary for the hours but when I applied online for the position it was a scope between £15,100.00 - £19,160.00 PRO RATA. I thought they may take a figure somewhere between those two and then work out the PRO RATA for a 30 hour week.

Would it be a bad idea to approach them for a little more money? To break even with the cost of Childcare I need a bit more. At the same time I don't want to throw away my chances of working for them. The other thing is that it's a 6 month fixed term contract as opposed to the permanent contract where I am now. I work half the hours in my current job so the salary is in comparison.

What do you think is best to do?

Looking forward to your advice.

Cheers.

bristol_pilot

It would be perfectly reasonable in these circumstances to approach them for more money, it will be a lot easier now than it will be once you have started! Your strongest negotiating position is when you have been selected for a job but not yet accepted it on the terms offered. In the past when I have done that, more money has been offered (though it wasn't the NHS). They will probably not be able to offer the post at a higher grade that it was advertised at, but more likely start you a point or two higher within the grade.

GirlRacer_2

Normally with the NHS you get paid on the bottom point of the salary scale. If however your current salary is, for example, mid way in the salary scale you will be paid one point on the scale above your current salary.

bristol_pilot

GirlRacer wrote: »

Normally with the NHS you get paid on the bottom point of the salary scale. If however your current salary is, for example, mid way in the salary scale you will be paid one point on the scale above your current salary.

In that case the OP would effectively be paying to work there (after childcare costs), so has nothing to lose by asking for more. And should be prepared to look for something else if they don't come up with a good offer.

morgani

Bettyboop wrote: »

To break even with the cost of Childcare I need a bit more.

The NHS do offer Salary sacrifice for childcare costs so therefore you can avoid tax on this as its paid as a deduction from your earnings see this article on here

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1129566540,79743,

Bettyboop

morgani, that link takes me to the draft of my post for this thread. Am I doing something wrong?

Please send another link if you can.

Bagpuss1973

I work in the NHS and I cannot understand why you did not discuss salary at the interview???

There are many applicants for most jobs so don't be surprised if you don't get extra money due to childcare - they will probably consider that your problem not theirs.

firesidemaid

hi there

as mentioned by another, that salary range is a scale - probably band 3 or 4 depending on what the job/role is. again, you do generally get put on the bottom unless you can show that you were already on more - but that may not count if you are not moving from one nhs job to another.

i would ring and speak to your contact and discuss it asap - i always do this at interview. they are not going to take back the job from you, and there may be a little leeway if it is a fixed post.

good luck and try and get a full-time position. there are plenty of benefits to working in the nhs. honest!

Bettyboop

I didn't discuss it because it has become known that people who do discuss money at the interview are often not selected for jobs! Well, that's what I have read anyway. I was also a nervous wreck as there were 5 people interviewing and one is on the same level as me. I didn't feel comfortable with her knowing my salary.

Bettyboop

sazzacat, all the jobs I have seen are only for 6 months fixed term....I would love one that continues beyond this but I guess I just have to keep looking. Any tips on the best way to go about asking for more money? Thanks.

firesidemaid

hi there

i'm surprised someone on the same level as you was interviewing for your post - you try not to do this, although it is not a fixed-term post.

it is much easier to ask about money at interview when you already work in the nhs.....

i would just ring to confirm what the starting salary will be, and see what they say. i obviously don't know, but it may be that it is on the bottom as it is a 6 month contract. any chance of it being extended at all? do you have any specific skills or knowledge that you are bringing to the post?

it is difficult to ask for more money o/wise as you knew the pro-rata salary scale when you applied.

i don't have kids, but there are posters on the noticeboards at work re. money being available for childcare - i don't know whether this is nhs only or everywhere? you could just ask generally about childcare options, including the tax break that the other poster mentioned.

p.s. congrats on getting the job!