General query about increasing working hours

[TensionWheelsCoolHeels]

Hi,

I currently work 25 hrs per wk in a well paid job. At 25 hrs, my salary is average but full time takes me into the well paid bracket.

Where I work there has been a whole new regrading review done - my FTE salary is now considered 165% above the median of my grade, meaning I'll never get another pay rise. The only way I can improve my earnings is to increase my hours. However, to do so means signing a new contract due to this being a significant alteration etc.

I don't yet know if increasing my hours would be possible yet, as dept might not have the capacity in their budget etc. but, assuming they do, my next hurdle is whether or not I am entitled to expect my hourly salary rate would have to be maintained if I'm asking to increase my hours i.e. my worry is that given the regrading that went on, and my hourly rate now not something my colleagues can hope to achieve (they've capped the new grades at lower salaries than the long standing employees are on) can I be forced to accept the cap on my grade simply by changing hours or can I expect to maintain my hourly rate on a new contract for an increase of hours?

I hope that makes sense. I'm just trying to establish if my expectation is something in entitled to or not so I know where I stand in considering increasing my working hours.

Thanks

If you request a change to your terms and conditions they can certainly say that they will only agree to your requested change if you simultaneously accept a change they want, such as an hourly rate in line with the new gradients.

That's not to say they'll do that necessarily, but as your terms and conditions would be changing at your request, they would be perfectly within their rights to say no altogether, or to put conditions on their agreement. It would then be entirely up to you whether to accept their conditions or stick as you are.

Thanks, so effectively an increase in my hours won't come with my hourly rate 'ring-fenced'. Is there any arguments I can put forward to them in defence of my hourly rate? I've spent 13 years climbing the salary ladder so it's not like I've not earned it & won't be doing the same job IYSWIM.

Your hourly rate might well be protected, I'm just saying that legally they can put conditions on agreeing to your request to change your terms and conditions if they want to.

In terms of arguments to keep your current hourly rate, well you can certainly cite long service and bags of experience but as you'd be asking them for something you want (that they don't have to give you), your negotiating position isn't good if they choose to go that route.

Ok thanks. That helps me understand my position better. If I'm able to time it for when 2 others go on maternity leave at the end of the year it might put me in a better position to 'offer' to increase my hours either on a temp basis over maternity period or more permanent if there is capacity in the dept. And your advice has stopped me going in too 'expectant' so at least I'm forewarned

Thanks again flowery.