To think Agenda for Change is utter rubbish!

[Wittsendhasarrived]

I've been fortunate enough to be offered a new job but I had to decline it today and I'm gutted about it because I would have absolutely loved the job! And I'm now feeling the rage! I'm currently top of band 7 and the new job would have been an 8a. It's a different Trust however and due to a few key differences in the roles, can't offer working from home which I currently do. This means an extra 30 minute commute twice a day to get to and from work which, whilst very expensive, on its own I could have accepted but I can't be in two places at once so I'd also need to fork out a lot more money to cover the additional childcare we'd need due to having to be 30 minutes away from home at a set time.

The job is a lot more responsibility than my current job but for no extra money! The difference between top 7 and bottom 8a is negligible which means it will simply cost us too much money as a family for me to accept this job. And yes, when you get to top band 8a it's a decent pay rise but that doesn't happen for 5 years! 5 years!!! It's utterly maddening!

So that's that then! I'm basically stuck where I am until DC are a lot older because I can't afford to take a promotion because it isn't actually a promotion! It's a utter piss take frankly!

And yes I know there are people far worse off and yes I know I'm lucky to have a job at all and yes I know I already earn well comparatively but right now I'm gutter. I'd have loved that job, they offered it to me at the start of the week and gave.me a few days to think it over when I explained my concerns. DH have been over it all with a fine tooth comb and we just can't make it work when I'd be essentially earning so much less than I do now to take the job.

AIBU to think that the way Agenda For Change is set up is utterly ridiculous?!

Agree. AfC is really restrictive. Is there anything to stop you applying for a Band 8b?

I totally get this. It’s ridiculous. I’m too band 5 having been qualified for 20 years but I currently do permanent nights. Promotion to band six is not only a measly pay increase for more responsibility but also I’d have to come off my permanent nights, so realistically it’s a huge pay cut. Totally unaffordable.

Yep, the five year weight for a pay rise is ridiculous at the higher bands. I miss the annual incremental system, it was much better!

There's nothing to stop me applying of course but I wouldn't hold.much hope for it as that's a massive responsibility jump from where I am now. Also, I'm in quite a niche specialty so the jobs at that level really just don't come up all that often at all sadly.

It never used to be as rigid as this but just before the pandemic, as I understand it, in 2019, this is what the unions voted in.

Unlike before, where previous experience was taken into account much more when you joined the NHS from outside for the first time or rejoined and you knew you'd get an annual spine point rise, now you start at the bottom of the band and don't get a pay rise (beyond cost of living and any back pay or pay award) for at least 2 years, 5 in some bands.

The sales pitch I've had drivelled at me, as a returner, is how you'll get to the top of your band sooner than you otherwise would have (5 years rather than 10).

Now that the pandemic has been declared over a lot of people are only just realising now what an absolute pup this is.

I reckon they'll be coming for our annual leave and our pensions next and then what's left of any WFH options for non clinical staff.

I'm sure all these things have no effect at all on why the NHS is currently struggling to recruit in so many places...