NHS Grade Changes - What are the Rules?

Cat8Woman

My situation is this...

I currently work for the NHS as an administrator, in 2022 I was Band 3, applied for and successfully got a Band 4 role in the same department.

My old Band 3 position was advertised and filled but that colleague has now handed in their notice and the role is to be re-advertised.

I was informed by a Senior Manager of our Department that they had a discussion with the Assistant Director of our Division and that they felt ‘in order to get anyone good in position’ the needed to offer the role as a Band 4, so the role is going to be advertised as a Band 3-progressing to Band 4 ‘once qualified’.

I was advised that as a result of this my former Band 3 colleague will automatically become Band 4 -how I am wondering?

To pacify me, as I did not agree with it,  I was told that they would try to put me up a grade and to try to look at certain development areas – big assumption on their part that I would even want this!

The colleague that is to automatically become a Band 4 does very little in terms of meeting the requirements of their current Band 3 role. Reporting was a significant part of the role and this staff member has never done any of it, the employee who is now leaving had been due to take it on from me. In addition they have refused other tasks that managers have passed to them, which meant I became the default person for everyone to come to for getting extra tasks done as they didn’t want to upset my colleague who was known for storming off in rages if asked to do anything than answer emails.  In general, aggressive and obstructive behaviour.

As a result our job roles have always been very disproportionate with regards to the type and level of work done.

The colleague that handed their notice in did so on the 10th May, 16th May my old Band 3 Colleague has had the new Banding put in place on ESR ready for it to start in June.

I know that an Agenda for Change panel has recently met and my understanding is that a re--evaluation can only take place if an amended agreed job description is submitted or details have been provided showing which skills and responsibilities applicable to the post have changed - is this correct?

As far as I am concerned the whole situation stinks, if they have re-evaluated they are admitting they got the evaluation wrong in the first place and if they have given them a new contract to sign shouldn’t there have been an interview?

I think our line manager is quite bemused by this as they were on leave when this occurred and had no input to the decision on any level.

Marcon

Cat8Woman said:

My situation is this...

I currently work for the NHS as an administrator, in 2022 I was Band 3, applied for and successfully got a Band 4 role in the same department.

My old Band 3 position was advertised and filled but that colleague has now handed in their notice and the role is to be re-advertised.

I was informed by a Senior Manager of our Department that they had a discussion with the Assistant Director of our Division and that they felt ‘in order to get anyone good in position’ the needed to offer the role as a Band 4, so the role is going to be advertised as a Band 3-progressing to Band 4 ‘once qualified’.

I was advised that as a result of this my former Band 3 colleague will automatically become Band 4 -how I am wondering?

To pacify me, as I did not agree with it,  I was told that they would try to put me up a grade and to try to look at certain development areas – big assumption on their part that I would even want this!

What do you want?

Cat8Woman said:

The colleague that is to automatically become a Band 4 does very little in terms of meeting the requirements of their current Band 3 role. Reporting was a significant part of the role and this staff member has never done any of it, the employee who is now leaving had been due to take it on from me. In addition they have refused other tasks that managers have passed to them, which meant I became the default person for everyone to come to for getting extra tasks done as they didn’t want to upset my colleague who was known for storming off in rages if asked to do anything than answer emails.  In general, aggressive and obstructive behaviour.

As a result our job roles have always been very disproportionate with regards to the type and level of work done.

The colleague that handed their notice in did so on the 10th May, 16th May my old Band 3 Colleague has had the new Banding put in place on ESR ready for it to start in June.

I know that an Agenda for Change panel has recently met and my understanding is that a re--evaluation can only take place if an amended agreed job description is submitted or details have been provided showing which skills and responsibilities applicable to the post have changed - is this correct?

As far as I am concerned the whole situation stinks, if they have re-evaluated they are admitting they got the evaluation wrong in the first place and if they have given them a new contract to sign shouldn’t there have been an interview?

I think our line manager is quite bemused by this as they were on leave when this occurred and had no input to the decision on any level.

Not clear how all this impacts on you other than by ruffling your feathers. You've got a Band 4 role and might possibly be put up a grade (although not clear if you do actually want this), so why is it of any concern?

Without knowing the full details, objectively recounted, it's hard to suggest anything other than having a word with your line manager or HR, as applicable, if that's going to make you feel better - or your union, if you are a member of one.

You'll find the info you need at https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-progression or https://www.nhsemployers.org/people/agenda-change

Andy_L

Cat8Woman said:

I know that an Agenda for Change panel has recently met and my understanding is that a re--evaluation can only take place if an amended agreed job description is submitted or details have been provided showing which skills and responsibilities applicable to the post have changed - is this correct?

As far as I am concerned the whole situation stinks, if they have re-evaluated they are admitting they got the evaluation wrong in the first place and if they have given them a new contract to sign shouldn’t there have been an interview?

I think our line manager is quite bemused by this as they were on leave when this occurred and had no input to the decision on any level.

Yes. However the incumbent can be bumped up a grade, there is no requirement to re-interview the job