NHS Closing Band 1

LauraLondon19

I am currently working for the NHS in a band 2 role. I wanted to know people's opinions about the NHS closing band 1. I don't understand it myself. I read band 1 staff would be upskilling to band 2 which doesn't make sense as the jobs will stay the same. My team are not happy as we are now on the lowest band. I can't find anyone talking about this anywhere.

Comms69

LauraLondon19 wrote: »

I am currently working for the NHS in a band 2 role. I wanted to know people's opinions about the NHS closing band 1. I don't understand it myself. I read band 1 staff would be upskilling to band 2 which doesn't make sense as the jobs will stay the same. My team are not happy as we are now on the lowest band. I can't find anyone talking about this anywhere.

No-one is paying you anything less though?


In fact Band 1 and Band 2 are paid the same as a new starter.


What's the objection?

sammyjammy

Can't speak for NHS but a similar thing has happened in our Civil Service dept, its not been closed per se but there are only a handful of people left, others were encouraged to take redundancy or "apply" for promotion.

To be honest your team being upset about it doesn't mean anything to anyone. What has happened with the roles our lowest grade did as they have either been surpassed by technology or have been taken on by the next grade, basically most grades are now undertaking more work of the lower grade, over time this of course becomes the norm. I move roles alot and its rare for me to feel I am actually undertaking a role relevant to my grade and salary.

LauraLondon19

Comms69 wrote: »

No-one is paying you anything less though?


In fact Band 1 and Band 2 are paid the same as a new starter.


What's the objection?

I am not getting paid any less is true but we are given more responsibility and training. There was a difference in skill and responsibility between the bands for years, I just don't get what has changed. Why don't they move band 2 to band 3 and so on?

Even though bands 1 and 2 started with the same pay, band 2 had 6 years to get to the top of the band 2 whereas band 1 only had 2 pay points.

If they had moved band 4 to 5 without changing band 4's or band 5's job role, I think there would have been talk about it.

Comms69

LauraLondon19 wrote: »

I am not getting paid any less is true but we are given more responsibility and training. - excellent. and you are free to apply for any of the jobs which are being upskilled too. There was a difference in skill and responsibility between the bands for years, I just don't get what has changed. Why don't they move band 2 to band 3 and so on? - because your role isn't being upskilled?

Even though bands 1 and 2 started with the same pay, band 2 had 6 years to get to the top of the band 2 whereas band 1 only had 2 pay points. - sorry I don't see the relevance of this?

If they had moved band 4 to 5 without changing band 4's or band 5's job role, I think there would have been talk about it.

Maybe. But that isn't really relevant. Band 4 and 5 have vastly different rates of pay. (and a larger skill gap to be fair)


I'm not belittling any roles. But there is nothing in law (nor in my moral opinion) that needs to be addressed here.


The job roles may well change as well. Many roles are developing to use technology more and more, and this would decrease the skillgap.

LauraLondon19

Comms69 wrote: »

I'm not belittling any roles. But there is nothing in law (nor in my moral opinion) that needs to be addressed here.

That's fine, I just wanted to know other people's view on it.

getmore4less

One issue is min wage.

Some low/no skilled jobs are worth less than min wage but you can't pay that.

That means those jobs get paid the same as some higher skilled jobs.

Silvertabby

Local Government did this some time ago. There was some muttering about 'loss of differentials' but it didn't come to anything - increasing everyone's pay band was just a financial non-starter.

lincroft1710

LauraLondon19 wrote: »

If they had moved band 4 to 5 without changing band 4's or band 5's job role, I think there would have been talk about it.

Only by NHS employees and possibly their spouses/partners.

In the 35 years I was in the Civil Service, there were at least 3 full or partial grade restructures in my department. It was "business needs" necessary to deal with the changing requirements of the job.

Unless your union(s) have raised any objections, you have a choice, accept or seek alternative employment.

Comms69

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Only by NHS employees and possibly their spouses/partners.

In the 35 years I was in the Civil Service, there were at least 3 full or partial grade restructures in my department. It was "business needs" necessary to deal with the changing requirements of the job.

Unless your union(s) have raised any objections, you have a choice, accept or seek alternative employment.

The issue doesn't affect the OP. There are not changes to terms of employment for her

lincroft1710

Comms69 wrote: »

The issue doesn't affect the OP. There are not changes to terms of employment for her

She will be in the lowest grade, instead of the lowest but one