NHS AFC - any experts about?

[spikeyiscool]

I have just received a promotion back dated to Feb 2018.

The offer letter states it is a promotion from band 7 to band 8a, which is what I was expecting. What I wasn't expecting is a pay cut. I have gone from point 34 on band 7 £43 041 to point 34 on band 8a which is £42 414! Is this how the new system works?!

To add to the confusion I got to point 34 in June.

Are there any experts about that can help with this? I've gone back and queried but not had a response yet.

Thank you.

I'm not an expert but before the change you always went across and up a point so you got a pay rise. I can't imagine you'd be expected to have a pay cut for a promotion...hopefully it's a mistake.

I am not an expert either, however agree with Nico that the rule previously was that on promotion when moving up a pay band you would go up to the next increment to ensure a pay rise. You would also change your incremental date to the date of this change.

The new pay deal has new pay bands with some repeated in adjacent bands.

In January 2018 you were on point 34 of Band 7 which was on the 2017 pay scale at £41,787. On promotion in February 2018 you should have then moved to point 35 in Band 8a which was £43,469. Your incremental date changes at this point to February 2019 instead of June 2018.

Then the new pay deal starts along with the new pay scales in April 2018. At this point you are on then on Band 8a point 35 which is £44,121. In February 2019 if there are no further changes you move to point 36 of Band 8a which is £45,827.

Your employer should backdate your pay to include the differences between the above compared to you being paid at Band 7 point 34 which was £41,787 and in then in April 2018 the new pay deal comes in so your pay increased to £43,041 and your incremental date in June 2018 would not have meant any further increase for you as that is the new top point of Band 7.

Are both your posts before and after your promotion full time or part time? As there may be pro rata differences as well between what you have been paid and the amount you should be backdated.

Sorry just re read your post and noted you only moved to point 34 in June.

In that case if I am correct then in January 2018 you were on point 33 Band 7 at £40,428 and in February 2018 should have moved to point 34 of Band 8a which was £41,787 and your incremental date changes to February 2019. When the new pay deal comes in April 2018 you stay on point 34 of Band 8a which is £42,414.

As the above did not happen you have stayed on Band 7 point 33 at £40,428 and in April 2018 that became £41,034 then in June your incremental date you move to point 34 of Band 7 at £43,041.

So you have received a pay cut in reality.

Sorry OP hopefully I am wrong please update what your Employer comes back with in response to your query as it does seem unfair!

Thank you for the responses.

GorjussDragon yes I am interpreting almost the same as you. In May 18 I was on point 33 of band 7, moved in June 18 to point 44. This was reflected in my July salary at the "new" pay of £43 041 which is stated on my payslip so it did happen although now the promotion offer seems to be trying to negate that.

What I think I might be told is that in reality I never moved as they are offering a band 8a from Feb 18...which would have moved me from point 33 of band 7 to point 34 of band 8 which meant £41 787 at the time and therefore now does indeed mean £42 414. Does that make sense?!

I am definitely going to argue the point though. A salary cut for a promotion is ridiculous, however small the amount.

I will keep you updated. I think they aren't sure what to do - the first letter came to me with no salary details at all, and the second was amended and sent back to me within 90 minutes, whereas it's now been over 24 hours.

Have you already started doing your promoted role or are they offering you to start and to backdate pay from February?

Definitely do query this as the principle is just daft!

If they don’t back down and it is a permanent role you are already doing, maybe look at it as short term pain for long term gain, in that you would not have had any further salary increases in your Band 7 role being at the top of that band from June.

Hi GorjussDragon. It's a long story about the role - I actually started in Sep 17! However I have just had an amended letter offering me the 8a point 35 salary so I am happy to accept that :)! My pay is going to be backdated from Feb 18.

I can't believe that the AfC set up allows for this type of anomoly - really hope that other employees aren't coming off worse from it.

Excellent news!

Sounds like you have a sensible Manager using their discretion wisely.

All the best in your new promotion.

Thank you