Any NHS HR or management about? Upset over pay disparity

[opalescent]

Hi All. I have recently become aware that a colleague is being paid significantly more than me. We started in our team at exactly the same time, and we are in the same role, with the same level of responsibility.
We have similar levels of knowledge and experience, however I hold an additional relevant post grad qualification at masters level, and worked at band 7 level for 10 months prior to taking this post.

We both tried to negotiate our pay at the start. She had worked at band 6 for 3 years, and I had been at band 6 for one year, then band 7 for just under a year.

I've now discovered that she was awarded top band 6, while I was given mid point. I have no issue with her having this- she's great at what she does. The disparity has really upset me though, particularly as I still have to wait a further 2 years to reach top band 6.
As far as I'm aware, my line manager is very happy with my work, and I take on lots of extra bits and pieces.

Do I have any grounds to appeal my pay?

Thanks all

Hopeful bump 🙏🏻

One last try 😂

This is a tricky one as you accepted the pay grade when you negotiated it at the start. You have nothing to lose by going to your manager or an HR manager to ask the question. They can only say no.

It's my understanding that if you'd taken a band 6 job after being a band 7, you usually start on the top of a band 6. It still has to be agreed with the manager and finance, and may be subject to how much budget is there to pay for it, but it's always been standard in my experience.

But it does seem odd that she's jumped from the midpoint (2-5 years) to the top (5+ years) after just 3-4 years. Was this all before the new pay points though? That might make a difference.

You've got nothing to lose by asking HR...

If you were in a band 7 post, why did you not negotiate for top of band 6 and why would you go down a grade?

@jellymaker the b7 post was just horrendous. Particularly so during the pandemic. I was desperate to get out!
Interestingly, the pay policy in my organisation specifically states that going down a band does not mean you will automatically be at the top point. It's dependent on years served at that level

Not necessarily IMO. Depends if the B7 was a substantive post, FTC or secondment etc. I wouldn’t automatically put someone top of band because they’d spent a year at a higher band. It also depends where OP was on B6 prior to taking the B7.

OP do the two of you have the same JD and/or are doing exactly the same role? Unfortunately I’m not sure having a post grad is relevant here unless it’s an essential criteria. Have you spoken to your line manager and colleague? I’d raise it with your LM and ask her rationale before going to HR.

@QueenofWhatever thanks for this. I think your absolutely right about the post grad Q- not relevant unless it's essential criteria.

I will explore with my line manager, but do you think it's reasonable to be appealing on the basis that I know my colleague is getting paid more?

Yes, exactly the same role and jd

Where you ar won the banding is time dependant nothing else.
So because you've only been a band 6 for 1 year and she was 3 that's why.
The fact you were a band 7 is irrelevant
In a few years time you will be equal

I’m not sure it’s a strong enough argument: I should be paid more because my colleague with more experience is getting paid more. I think that’s the rationale here. I also think the fact you spent less than a year as a B7 is a red herring here. Was that a substantive role that you then gave up or a secondment/FTC?

I know how galling it is when people are being paid more than you for the same job. I’ve got the same issue, but in my case it’s a whole band’s difference. It may be that your colleague negotiated better when taking up the role.

It could also potentially set a precedent across the organisation - if I’ve understood correctly, you have one year at B6 and less than one at B7, so I’m not sure that equates to being paid top of B6 when others have to wait 5+ years.

Yes, good points. What you are saying is very sensible, thank you. It's difficult though, that she is only one year ahead of me I'm experience, but will ultimately be 3 years ahead of me in pay?
Is there no onus on employers to pay in an equitable way across the board?