NHS band increments

[SoVeryTiredAndEmotional]

Hi. I applied for a new role in a new trust which advertised the post with a pay range of lowest to highest pay for the banding. When I received my contract I have been put in lowest banding which is a fair drop in pay. I sent proof of current pay/increment, but HR says I must start on lowest band as anyone who is new to the trust or in a new role must do this. Is that correct? What’s the point of loyally working for NHS and gaining increments if I’m always going to lose money seeking a new role? (within the same band) HR’s logic also suggests that you’d only stay on a higher increment if you are already at the trust doing that job?! I need to speak to HR before agreeing my contract. Any advice would be appreciated.

I've always known this to happen when you move roles unfortunately.

When I moved to the NHS from the private sector I had to start at the bottom of three band. Don't know if it's any different if you're already within the NHS.

New starts usually start at the bottom of the band.

Ok, so it doesn’t sound promising that I’ll get my contract changed. I have a lot of experience and am probably over qualified for the role, so it seems crazy that it’s not taken into consideration. It’s a lot of money for me to lose, particularly at the moment, and I thought part of the increment raise was for time in the NHS? ☹️

I have changed jobs a couple of time (band 5 nurse in different trusts) and have never been put to the bottom of the band!! They have always started me at the paypoint I was on, can you ask your new manager to OK it? They should just be able to complete a change form for HR to state what paypoint you should be on.

Someone on my training course moved within the NHS (to a totally different role) and got protected pay for a year...

This was over 6 years ago now, so not sure if there have been any changes.. and to be honest they still dropped to the general banding after the year.

However... they went from band 7 to band 5 so unsure if that would be any different!

Doesn't sound right to me. I recently recruited a nurse from Australia into her new post on. Band 5 and she was placed at the top of her band which was reflective of her experience in Oz. In my trust salary should be discussed at interview stage and sorted out with HR prior to contract being issued.

HR for NHS here.
Agenda for change says that if you move with the NHS to another NHS trust then you should retain the banding you are in if it’s the same profession or there is a cross over of skills. So a band 6 nurse at top of the band applying for another band 6 nurse role in another trust should come across at top of the band.

i would challenge it with the recruitment team. Are you in the union?

I would challenge this with HR but also flag it up with the person who offered you the job. The NHS had a recruitment crisis at the moment and most disciplines can't recruit for love nor money. If you said you wouldn't take the job unless you were matched at the same spine point I'm sure they would take that seriously.

@Stupidbonfire

Sorry to jump in here. What if someone is taken on for a fixed contract for 2 years. That person's contract will be up in say 2 months and they manage to get another permanent position.

The original fixed term contract was for a band 5 - but the new permanent contract is for a band 3. Would they be placed at the top of band 3 increments or go to the start? Thanks.

I have moved roles three times and always been moved to top of band four as previously worked at that paypoint for a number of years.
You should challenge this

Definitely challenge it, that's not right. NHS to NHS on the same band, you move, as does your pay progression date, to the same pay point unless you are put at a higher pay point.

Even if you were going down a band, I'd expect you to be offered the top of the next band down.

Even private to NHS, a manager can put the case for you to start higher in the payband and justify you not starting on the lowest band if you have the skills and experience needed (I've done it several times for nurses coming from the private or care sector).

HR are wrong.