Department restructure - NHS (worried sick)

[NorthernWanderer]

Hi,

I have worked in my current role (band 7) for three years. It isn’t my profession, by training/background, but similar. I was a band 7 in my previous role but was living quite a distance from my workplace and, due to complications of the pandemic (train cancelled was a major issue) I had to look for employment closer to home. I’d only been a band 7 in my previous role for 6 months but had been top of band 6 for years. I’m a HCPC Biomedical Scientist by training - I have kept my registration going but I don’t need it for the role I’m doing now.

Anyway, it became very apparent that the place I’m at was in dire straights and very old fashioned in terms of IT. The place is a mess tbh and hasn’t been run properly. It became very clear that I was taking on a massive workload (which I had never experienced before in the NHS). There doesn’t seem to be any interest in moving the place forward in terms of technology so they’re going round in circles with staff spending way too much time on things and lots of errors due to paper based systems. It’s shocking tbh! The place is quite toxic too.

We are under the watch of the regulator. It’s worrying me as I am new to this area and never came across this level of despair in my previous career (that I miss desperately)!

New big boss started a year ago (who looks after 2 departments). Both departments have been put under a transformation after constant staff complaints and a damning audit from the regulator. Basically, there will be new jobs created (they don’t have enough staff to do what’s needed) and all staff can apply for jobs that arise. My job is now at risk. I’m highly qualified in my field (biomedical) and experienced (25 years plus). I have been told all sorts. I could be downgraded to a band 5, I may have to re-apply for my own post or end up without a job. Or, I may remain as I am. I have been told there will probably be a deputy post created (as my workload is huge). I am working constantly. Always under stress at the demands from everywhere. Two band 7’s used to do my role but they didn’t replace one, after she left, to save money. I am working harder in this role than I ever had to in my previous career. There is a very high sickness rate with two band 7’s on long term sick. It is the band 5-8 that they are dealing with first as part of the re-structure. There are a couple of band 5’s (both with a lot less experience than I have) who are applying for my role if it is advertised. I’m absolutely appalled tbh! I have done nothing wrong. I am trying my hardest to put the place right as I realised, pretty quickly, what a mess they were in just after I started.

I could try and get back into my field. I would prefer this now as I am so traumatised by this that I don’t want to re-apply for my own job! It’s humiliating and I will just want to die if I was unsuccessful. It’s a kick in the teeth to someone who has worked over and above for them.

Im also going through a divorce, which is also worrying me as I have come off a lot worse (accepting 30% of assets) as my emotional health is suffering (because of the re-structure too). I had to call it a day. Stbx can’t afford to pay my any child support either. If I end up as a band 5, I will really struggle.

My eldest is at university but the youngest is in her final GCSE year and wants to stay at the same school for 6th form. She also needs to see her father. She lives with me mostly.

I feel trapped in an awful situation whereby I could get back into my field (probably as a 7 or even an 8 due to my background and qualifications) but I can’t leave the area due to my daughter! There are no jobs locally and I have looked for the last 2 years when I realised how bad this job was going to be.

I am totally not sure what to do and am not coping well at all. Not sleeping. Having physical symptoms. I feel like my career is over (and my life tbh). I have worked /studies do hard over the years. They mentioned about re-deployment but that could also be a band 5 (they can only downgrade you 2 bands, so I have been told) in an area of no interest to me. Pay, at band 7, would be protected for two years.

Has anyone been through this in the NHS or can offer some wise words of advice? I feel distraught and extremely distressed tbh. We band 7’s have been given no support through this and have to stand in staff meetings with higher up telling everyone they can apply for our roles!!

Budget for staffing remains the same so it’s likely they’ll shave some band 7’s to create more band 5’s and 6’s. Not sure how they can justify this as the level of some of my work is actually band 8!

It sounds like you are going through a really stressful time. It may feel like all too much right now, but I am guessing that give it a while and it will all turn out for the best.

You will probably feel a million times better when all of the divorce stuff is out of the way.

Regarding the job, is there somewhere else you could apply to? You don't sound happy there in general. I bet there are loads of other career options for you, even if it might mean taking a bit of a side ways step or commuting a bit more again. It would be worth it for your peace of mind.

It sounds very stressful and I can't help on much but to maybe alleviate one of the worries - if you do get moved to a band 5 role and your band 7 pay is protected for 2 years , this will take you a good way through your daughter's post 16 study as well as her GCSEs. So no difference in finances / lifestyle as now but should in theory give you less workload / stress - maybe the best outcome given your other circumstances. And gives you time to look for other opportunities before you reach the end of the two year pay protection

If they create new roles at the same band as you, and your job is at risk, I would expect those roles to be ring-fenced for those at risk.

If they're restructuring is there a consultation and do you have a union rep? I would expect the union to be all over things like that.

Sounds very stressful for you. I'm assuming, that even if downgraded, your salary will be protected for a while?

How about a locum BMS role as you are still state registered. Will give you the updated skills to get back into the profession?

Have you read the org change and pay protection policy? Are you in a union? I’ve been through these many times and although unsettling, it hasn’t been as bad as it could’ve been although it’s down to the policy in terms of lifting and shifting, ring fenced competition etc. There should be a consultation where your feedback will be taken into consideration (new structure and JDs should be given to you as well) and there should be group meetings outlining the intent and purpose of the change along with 1-2-1 meetings. Staff side should be involved and notified at the outset of this who should ensure the policy is being followed and that the organisation is making fair decisions and if in a union they will also support you.

I know this sounds like a good option (and would also allow me to complete my MSc to move in the right direction) but I’m worried that, if I move from a band 7 to a band 5 role, it’ll damage my career. Like a blip!

I have applied to a few places - band 7 and 8a roles. I am shortlisted for all of them but end up withdrawing my application as I know I can’t move away from the area. I had withdrawn from one last month (which is also the area in the area I want to be in career-wise) and the job has been re-advertised so they mustn’t have filled it. I’m tempted to apply again. It’s a 1.5 hr drive away and near to the Lake District (I’m a hiker) so it’d be ideal location wise but then I worry about my two kids!! One at university in the north east and the other in her final year of GCSE’s and intending on staying on at the same (outstanding) school.

I am considering my options - even thinking of buying a caravan and seeing if I can compress hours or work from home a bit. Once she went to university, I could relocate.

I am also on the look-out for remote working jobs where I could use me background/skills.

This all sounds horrendous. You have a lot on your plate. But break it down and it all becomes manageable, one step at a time. Look after yourself. Do this first. When we all look back at a time like this, we all realise it wasn't as bad as we thought and we all do come through it. Your divorce will be done soon. Do you have the strength to fight for more than you are getting? Apply for other grade 7 jobs. This place won't change soon, it'll continue to be toxic for a long time, until someone changes that.

Yes, I am in a union but they’ve only been informed of what is going on. They haven’t, physically, got involved at this stage.

The current structure is one band 8c, 5 x band 7’s (3 are part time), one band 6, 4 band 5’s, 8 band 3’s and 4 band 2’s. They are looking at creating more band 5 and 6 posts. However, all of the band 7’s have a massive workload and it’s all managerial stuff so I’m not sure how they can reduce the number of band 7’s and increase 5’s and 6’s within the same budget.

I have this option but all locus roles are not in my area (and I have a child at school here) and I need to get another mortgage once my divorce is finished (soon). I doubt a bank would give me a mortgage if I was only in temporary work. I’m over 50 too!

The stress has led to me accepting a lower divorce settlement than I should have. I just can’t go though a court! I wanted it finished.

I definitely want to leave this job, regardless of what happens. Not just the toxic culture (which I have never experienced in the NHS before) but also the way we are being treated - especially when we are working our ass of for them (no breaks and working from home for free). They don’t look at what people are doing and capacity plans are made up!

I’m hoping the judge will notice that I’m getting a lot less of the assets and my job is at risk!

Study the afc handbook - it gives descriptions of what each band has in terms of responsibilities, role etc - if you can justify a role as being a 7 they can't just reband as a 5

Also I've found the NHS is a hot bed for gossip so unless you have something in writing take anything you hear with a very large pinch of salt

Don't worry about a downgrade with protected pay being a career blip. It's exactly that - a blip to help you get through the next 2.5 years. You just need to focus on getting through this time with the least damage to your health so do whatever it takes.
Then you'll be free to progress your career again in a job you want to do in different location.

You're going through a really tricky time but this time will pass and you'll have light at the end of the tunnel

I had to go through a restructure during my time in the NHS and it was horrendous. Also trusts thought nothing of closing bases to save money. In my experience, they will down grade bands and there is nothing you can do to change their minds- saving money is all that count in these situations.

if you can get jobs more suitable elsewhere, I think you need to move. Your daughter will be learning exactly the same syllabus in a new school and will cope, she may not want to move for her final year, but does she really want to risk a mum on the brink of a breakdown because she doesn’t want to move schools? Personally, I think you need to put yourself first for once, children are resilient and can make new friends easily. Once a restructure is starting, believe me they are horrible, even if you get your job, you will still be in the same awful job, and will likely end up with an even bigger workload, as they will always restructure less jobs to save money, so the big managers can
pat themselves on the back with the costs saved with no forward vision for the inevitable fall out in the future, and said managers move on to new jobs.

My current role is very similar to that of two of my old colleagues. They’re both band 8. I’m a 7.

It is awful and we are part way through it. The place is in a mess because they’ve tried to save too much money. They’re now taking management failings out on staff and trying to squeeze out even more. This place is particularly bad. They pay a band 4 role (which it clearly is) as a band 2. The band 5’s do what a 6 would do and the 7’s are definitely doing the work of an 8. The 8c is the one who does little but gets the pat on the back for saving money.

@Retiredandfree I agree, I definitely need to leave - regardless of what happens. I think I’ve ended up in a nightmare of a place tbh!

I am surprised the union is not more hands on... can you get in touch and kick some ass. Thats what you are paying for every single month.

You need to read the agenda for change handbook, I thought you could only be moved down one grade or apply for a job one grade higher. You say they have too few people than is needed so I wouldn’t worry too much about being made redundant (imo that’s unlikely apart from possibly top tier management as redundancy costs a lot and makes no sense if they still need people). Worst case scenario is that you are made redundant but you’ll get quite a good payment and have a profession which will allow you to be re-employed. I think that’s unlikely though. Of course people on a lower band will apply for your job if they can, you can and should apply for all eligible jobs if it comes to that too. If you are forced down a grade you’ll be protected, I would apply for a mortgage prior to that although I think
they only ask what your salary is currently anyway. These sorts of things are really unsettling but you can’t do anything about it at the moment (other than look for another job)

I have recent experience of this. Everything previous posters say about consultation process is true. You should be presented with a proposed structure and commence a 30 day consultation with staff side representation and HR involvement.

Re the posts, once you have seen the proposed structure you will know how many at each grade are available. If there are 7s in the structure these will be ring fenced for existing 7s and no 5s or 6s will be able to apply for these. That gives some protection for your current role. If there are enough B7 posts for the number of current potholders, and the job descriptions are 75% or more similar to your current jd, you would be slotted in. Of course they may reduce number of 7s, in which case you would go through a competitive interview process against the other 7s providing all wish to stay in the role. This happened in my org, going down from 3 at one grade to 2, leaving one person displaced.

Any staff displaced would be on 'prior consideration', effectively a redeployment list. The organisation has a responsibility to try and place you in a job at the same grade, one grade higher or one grade below, providing the job is suitable alternative employment. Any such post that comes up you could trial and you would not be expected to take a job as eg. A B7 accountant if you are a clinical scientist. If you took a job at b6 through this process you would be protected at your current salary for a defined period, based on your trust length of service. If any staff member cannot be placed after a period of time, usually 3 months, a redundancy would be offered. Redundancy would apply if you have 2y of continuous service with the trust and any payment would be based on your reckonable nhs service (with any employer).

Notwithstanding all that, it sounds like it isn't a great place, and you may want to review your options to move. If it were me (and it was me recently!) I would stick with it, engage fully with the process, and take advice from my union rep throughout. It is much easier to find a different / better job when you are in work, and you will have time to explore your options.

I think your pay grade would be protected for 3 years and if you’re not in a union join Unite now.

I’m in the union and, apart from giving them details of what’s happening, they haven’t done anything yet. I asked one of the senior manager’s about union involvement and they said it was too early to bring the union in.