Job re evaluation

[Silverclocks]

I work in the public sector (not NHS) and a couple of years ago we went through a major re banding exercise. Bands became much narrower, the argument being equal work equal pay, whereas the old wide bands meant people in the same jobs could have up to £15k difference in their pay.

Some people did well and moved up, others moved down, or in my case, stayed where they were, but lost their pay progression.

Since then, many challenges have been received and jobs have been evaluated again. The original exercise was done i
on a best fit basis against standard job descriptions. Later evaluations have been done on a more personalised basis. Most have stayed the same, a couple have turned out too high, but post holders will remain on their current salary until they move on, a couple have been increased.

I am the most senior person affected - everyone more senior to me is on different T&C. I have seen/been involved in all the evaluations. I know if mine was done now it would go up one band, possibly two, which could make £15k pa difference to me.

However, I also understand our budget and know that the money isn't really there. Boss is not refusing, but dragging her heels about getting it done, asking for my understanding...

I love the job and until recently felt valued and supported. This is now tainting everything. Obviously I could just leave, but what else can I do?

Your manager is being unfair and probably unconsciously relying on the fact women (sorry if I’ve made an incorrect assumption) typically are more reluctant to push for pay rises.

Write to your manager, copied to HR, formally requesting that your job is evaluated by x. X should either be by the schedule/deadline for doing all the evaluations or by end of April. Make sure all correspondence is by email/in writing.

The budget is not your problem.

Should add if your manager is being slippery remind them you could lodge an equal pay claim.

I'm on the other side of this currently and my belief is that you have to pay enough to take money off the table. Since that isn't the case, I'd be supporting you to go for re-evaluation. It is difficult with a budget but you must be paid fairly for the role. Good luck with it al!