Conditional offer / band 2 query

phonemonkey

Hi peeps,

I'm in a strange place, considering a role change and trying to prepare myself as much as possible, with no real experience of handling conditional job offer. 
I really want to work my notice with current employer which I believe to be a month. (part of me says the Employer will try to be rid in a week just due to nature of job, it being quiet business wise, pending week's holiday anyhow etc) but another part is hopeful as my current role isn't very sought after, and I'm only one doing the job so I can only try and sell it that it gives them the time to find ideal candidate etc) 

I've been guided that background checks to starting can take a couple of months for a healthcare assistant role in the NHS, (I know I've seen one old thread where it took someone 6 months to start) as much as the interview was rather easier then an admin/on the phones nhs job, I know I've a really long understandable way to go with background checks. I've already hit one fly in the ointment that the ward I applied to may have all it's vacancies filled and so I need to chose another adult ward so it makes me slightly nervy on how this will play out.  You know could I end up on a waiting list the the DWP or civil service sometimes do.

I've read old threads full of sage advice such as "if the offer is subject to references, medical, or anything else, no. I never hand in my notice until it is unconditional."
How do people get past references being taken by a prospective new employer, without actually being forced to hand in their notice straight away? 

I also have a query regarding band 2 and wages - I've seen two figures both quoted as 'bottom of the band' salary being £18,005 and £18,546 when I've tried understanding the two different figures both are for same amount of hours each week. I'm just curious if the £18,005 is just out of date and been replaced with £18,546?

I was recently been offered another interview again with the NHS (different trust who advise their wage as the starting £18,546)  both trusts outside London.

Thanks for any insight.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

£18,005 is the official starting point for Band 2 but there is a pay award for the NHS due to be implemented which is going to mean that the new Band 2 starting point (effective 1 April 2021 I believe) is 3% more.

£18,005 + 3% = £18,545.15 so maybe it's been rounded up to £18,546?

Once you've done either 2 or 3 years it will increase to £19,917 (currently £19,337).

There may well be inflation increases each April which adjust the £18,546/£19,917 slightly.

Jillanddy

How do people get past references being taken by a prospective new employer, without actually being forced to hand in their notice straight away? 

You can't be forced to hand in your notice. So you tell your employer that you will be continuing in your role and will hand in your notice when you have a confirmed offer. 

TheSpiddalKid

phonemonkey said:

Hi peeps,

I also have a query regarding band 2 and wages - I've seen two figures both quoted as 'bottom of the band' salary being £18,005 and £18,546 when I've tried understanding the two different figures both are for same amount of hours each week. I'm just curious if the £18,005 is just out of date and been replaced with £18,546?

I was recently been offered another interview again with the NHS (different trust who advise their wage as the starting £18,546)  both trusts outside London.

Thanks for any insight.x

The starting salary for band 2 is £18,546.00 this then rises after two years to (currently) £19,998.00

These are the 2021/22 salary figures (with the 3% pay increase applied) and are being implemented in September 2021. 

Further info is available on the NHS Employers website.

Bear in mind as well if you work Nights or weekends you may be entitled to unsocial hours payments. These are the 2021/22 salary figures (with the 3% pay increase applied) and are being implemented in September 2021. 

Dr_Crypto

Welcome to the NHS. The HR function is notoriously inefficient even if the ward is crying out for staff. 

Healthcare Assistants are always in demand. It’s an important but underpaid and undervalued role, so staff turnover can be high. They’ll get to you eventually but I wouldn’t hand in notice until you have a confirmed start date. 

General_Grant

phonemonkey said:

Hi peeps,

I'm in a strange place, considering a role change and trying to prepare myself as much as possible, with no real experience of handling conditional job offer. 
I really want to work my notice with current employer which I believe to be a month. (part of me says the Employer will try to be rid in a week just due to nature of job, it being quiet business wise, pending week's holiday anyhow etc) but another part is hopeful as my current role isn't very sought after, and I'm only one doing the job so I can only try and sell it that it gives them the time to find ideal candidate etc) 

I've been guided that background checks to starting can take a couple of months for a healthcare assistant role in the NHS, (I know I've seen one old thread where it took someone 6 months to start) as much as the interview was rather easier then an admin/on the phones nhs job, I know I've a really long understandable way to go with background checks. I've already hit one fly in the ointment that the ward I applied to may have all it's vacancies filled and so I need to chose another adult ward so it makes me slightly nervy on how this will play out.  You know could I end up on a waiting list the the DWP or civil service sometimes do.

I've read old threads full of sage advice such as "if the offer is subject to references, medical, or anything else, no. I never hand in my notice until it is unconditional."
How do people get past references being taken by a prospective new employer, without actually being forced to hand in their notice straight away? 

I also have a query regarding band 2 and wages - I've seen two figures both quoted as 'bottom of the band' salary being £18,005 and £18,546 when I've tried understanding the two different figures both are for same amount of hours each week. I'm just curious if the £18,005 is just out of date and been replaced with £18,546?

I was recently been offered another interview again with the NHS (different trust who advise their wage as the starting £18,546)  both trusts outside London.

Thanks for any insight.

You had better find out how much notice you are actually required to give.  What you "believe" may not be what is in your contract.

What notice is your employer required to give you?  It could be the same, more, or less.  Find out what your written particulars of employment say about this.

Receiving a reference request does not entitle the employer to force you to resign.  It is polite to let them know that a reference request is imminent.

phonemonkey

Thank you very much for the information and insight.  The offer of HCA hasn't progressed so I'm partly glad I didn't do anything so rash, I know I need to chat to my current employer as things have turned on it's head.

What notice is your employer required to give you?  It could be the same, more, or less.  Find out what your written particulars of employment say about this.

I don't know if I have unequal notice periods? Could you read this:
Upon successful completion of your 3 month probationary period, you must give one month's notice in writing when terminating your employment with this company. (whilst this is clear, I haven't had any confirmation of passing probation, I would only be able to argue if it came to it, that as I've continued working beyond the 3 months that I deem myself to have passed)

Then the 'query' part, I read it initially as unequal periods on Employer side, then it concerned me it's a bit vague
You are entitled to receive the following notice periods when terminating your employment:
From successful completion of your probationary period but less then 2 years' service - One week.

I do have some more questions as I hadn't picked up this being mentioned at all in old threads, what happens when you get called to a medical (relating to the job offer) should the Employer takes notice or the reference situation badly. (I'd read and maybe overread you can be expected to maybe have a blood test and hep vaccines.) What happens if the current Employer wanted to prevent this? 

Can pre booked annual leave be cancelled when notice is given in? 

I am now in receipt of another offer, 12 month fixed term for a different role, still directly with the NHS (which in deep reflection I think is more suited with me being me and one I'd feel more confident about having met my future manager and supervisor at interview) but, with a different trust that do want to give the impression these checks are done quicker? Do temporaries in the NHS still qualify for a pension? 
 
Thanks so much for the time reading again.

General_Grant

phonemonkey said:

Thank you very much for the information and insight.  The offer of HCA hasn't progressed so I'm partly glad I didn't do anything so rash, I know I need to chat to my current employer as things have turned on it's head.

What notice is your employer required to give you?  It could be the same, more, or less.  Find out what your written particulars of employment say about this.

I don't know if I have unequal notice periods? Could you read this:
Upon successful completion of your 3 month probationary period, you must give one month's notice in writing when terminating your employment with this company. (whilst this is clear, I haven't had any confirmation of passing probation, I would only be able to argue if it came to it, that as I've continued working beyond the 3 months that I deem myself to have passed)   
It is safest to work on the principle that if they haven't told you you have "failed probation" or extended it, then you have passed and you are required to give one month's notice.  That is the notice you give them.

Then the 'query' part, I read it initially as unequal periods on Employer side, then it concerned me it's a bit vague
You are entitled to receive the following notice periods when terminating your employment:
From successful completion of your probationary period but less then 2 years' service - One week.
That is the statutory (minimum) notice required for an employer to give once the employee has completed one month of employment.   Whether there is a probation period makes no difference - and it would increase in line with the law.

I do have some more questions as I hadn't picked up this being mentioned at all in old threads, what happens when you get called to a medical (relating to the job offer) should the Employer takes notice or the reference situation badly. (I'd read and maybe overread you can be expected to maybe have a blood test and hep vaccines.) What happens if the current Employer wanted to prevent this?   
You would have to negotiate with the new employer on when these could be done outside your normal working time with your current employer.

Can pre booked annual leave be cancelled when notice is given in? 
Yes, they have to give you twice the amount of notice that the holiday would be for - two weeks' notice for a one-week holiday.  (Though there is a sneaky way round this.)

I am now in receipt of another offer, 12 month fixed term for a different role, still directly with the NHS (which in deep reflection I think is more suited with me being me and one I'd feel more confident about having met my future manager and supervisor at interview) but, with a different trust that do want to give the impression these checks are done quicker? Do temporaries in the NHS still qualify for a pension? 
I believe so - if you are directly employed by the NHS rather than through an agency.
 
Thanks so much for the time reading again.

................................................

Dazed_and_C0nfused

You will only be entitled to an NHS pension (for the temporary job) if the service lasts 2 years.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/membership-nhs-pension-scheme

General_Grant

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

You will only be entitled to an NHS pension (for the temporary job) if the service lasts 2 years.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/membership-nhs-pension-scheme

So how do they meet their legal responsibility as an employer for those with less than 2 years service?