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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

NHS salary if you drop a grade?

38 replies

Iwillhavealargeone · 22/02/2023 20:27

So I have 4 years experience as a b6, was lucky enough to get a B7, but I'm not happy and am looking elsewhere.
Potentially I might have to accept a b6 role in the meantime but my happiness and mental health is more important.

If I did drop down where on the pay scale would I fit in, mid point? Surely I would not go down to the bottom?

OP posts:
Monsterjam · 22/02/2023 20:37

you should go to mid point however I’d argue do top with or band experience

Americansmoothy · 22/02/2023 20:41

Not NHS but public sector, I would put you back on the same point on the B6 scale. If there has been a pay award/increment move you up the scale as though you had remained a B6 so you are where you should be on the scale.

Ask HR to confirm the pay policy.

Sunshineandrainbow · 22/02/2023 20:43

Were you top of band 6?
I would have thought you could back to that if you went down.
I was band four and went to another band four role and went to top as having previously worked at that.

AlexandraJJ · 22/02/2023 20:44

Depends if it’s the same role. Points on the bands are now about years of experience. If it’s a completely different role you’ll be placed on the bottom

Snowdaysandhappydays · 22/02/2023 20:45

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

onepieceoflollipop · 22/02/2023 20:46

I returned to a band 6 after being a band 7 for 4 years (and loving it back as a 6)
I went to a top band 6. In reality I earn practically the same as I now do some weekends etc.

Original poster
Iwillhavealargeone · 22/02/2023 20:47

AlexandraJJ · 22/02/2023 20:44

Depends if it’s the same role. Points on the bands are now about years of experience. If it’s a completely different role you’ll be placed on the bottom

It's a new role, but a lot of cross over
I won't accept if I go down to bottom
I've got 5 yrs experience as a 6!

OP posts:
Original poster
Iwillhavealargeone · 22/02/2023 20:48

I've only been a 7 for less than 12 months
But I'm so unhappy

OP posts:
shivermetimbers77 · 22/02/2023 20:49

I would guess you would go at top of band 6, but your may need to proactively point this out to HR/your line manager, so they don’t automatically stick you at the bottom. Good idea to check the policy with the HR dept in your Trust

onepieceoflollipop · 22/02/2023 20:49

Actually if it’s the same discipline (e.g. nursing) the above advice isn’t totally correct (see screenshot from the NHS AFC page)

onepieceoflollipop · 22/02/2023 20:50

Trying again…

NHS salary if you drop a grade?
AlexandraJJ · 22/02/2023 20:50

Have a chat with the recruiting manager. Depending on what the process in that particular organisation and if your potential new manager wants to support an uplifted start salary, the request may have to be formal and go in front of an exec sponsored panel or they may have delegated authority to make the decision.

onepieceoflollipop · 22/02/2023 20:52

Yes definitely point it out to Recruitment/HR especially if it is a different employer. It’s transferable across NHS but easier to get it right at the start as I found…

onepieceoflollipop · 22/02/2023 20:55

@AlexandraJJ
surely if it’s NHS they will follow the AFC agreements as my understanding is they are bound by this?

AlexandraJJ · 22/02/2023 20:56

You’d be surprised the number of times AfC is used as a guide rather than a standard

onepieceoflollipop · 22/02/2023 20:57

@Iwillhavealargeone
good luck with it all. I’m now back established as a 6 and no regrets.
I could do the band 7 but it wasn’t for me.
sorry you are unhappy, I’m sure it will all work out but obviously working notice and getting through the pre employment stuff etc takes time.

hedwigismyowl · 22/02/2023 21:01

I thought that Foundation Trusts were able to set their own pay and conditions so we're able to move away from AfC. Although less favourable than AfC would mean they'll lose staff.

bookish83 · 22/02/2023 21:04

OP would you mind sharing more details of why you are returning to a band 6?

I am wondering whether to do the same. Not sure if B7 is for me either

Original poster
Iwillhavealargeone · 22/02/2023 21:11

bookish83 · 22/02/2023 21:04

OP would you mind sharing more details of why you are returning to a band 6?

I am wondering whether to do the same. Not sure if B7 is for me either

Yes.
Do you want to pm me.

OP posts:
Wishyouwerehere30 · 22/02/2023 21:11

I dropped back to band 6 from band 7 last year and am on top increment of band 6. There was no discussion with manager/HR it just happened automatically. (I'm earning much more now from nights/weekends than I did as a band 7 which is mad and am a million times happier!!!!)

Doyouthinktheyknow · 22/02/2023 21:21

Iwillhavealargeone · 22/02/2023 20:48

I've only been a 7 for less than 12 months
But I'm so unhappy

Band 7 is shit, you get all the pressure from above and have to manage everyone below! I hope they give you too band 6 if that’s what you were on.

It’s my dream to drop back to top band 6, I miss my old job so much😥 I’m bottom band 7, 1 year in and I go through phases but definitely hate it more than like it.

bookish83 · 23/02/2023 06:56

@Iwillhavealargeone

I will try and do this- not sure if I can off the app!

JessicaBrassica · 23/02/2023 07:47

That's interesting @onepieceoflollipop I actually didn't think there were any overlaps on banding any more, but I could be wrong.

I have a substantive b5 contract but I've been acting up b6 for a couple of years. When someone forgot to tick the box I was paid as B5 +1 increment - appropriate for b5 with 3yrs pqe. I'd assume you'd probably go back to b6 with appropriate increments unless you fight for the top of b6 which seems reasonable given your additional skills and experience.

Augend23 · 23/02/2023 07:51

I'd expect you to get top of B6 as you were B6 for 5 years and now B7. I would set your expectations at the point of the job offer: "I had 5 years of experience at B6 plus an additional one now at B7 so my understanding is that I'll go in at the top of the band - can you confirm for me how we can make sure this gets sorted?" Or similar.

frostyfeb · 23/02/2023 07:53

I think it's down to negotiation and the line manager. I have put someone at the of the band due to them moving down a grade, but I knew they were really experienced

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