Any nhs people that can answer this question

[nicsnigsnags]

I hope someone one on here would be able to advise,
I am going back to work next year in the NHS after my maternity leave, I presently work full time shifts as a band 6 charge nurse in psychiatry,
I was thinking of dropping one shift per fortnight as I now have two children, I spoke to a friend who works in a different speciality and she said that some of the band 6's in her hospital had been downgraded to 5 after going part time

I really didn't think they could downgrade you and reduce your salary just because you work part time but I would be grateful if anyone could give me the benefit of their wisdom as I haven't asked yet about reducing hours and would like to know where I stand before I approach my manager

Thank you

You shouldn't be downgraded unless your role changes.

But who knows what sorts of trick NHS managers have up their sleeves.

your banding is determined by your job not by the hours you work, so I can't see that dropping a shift would change your banding. Maybe your friend's got the wrong end of the stick.

Thanks nevergoogle and max power, my role won't change, I was just hoping to not have to work from 730am to 815pm three days in a row, as well as heving a 45 minute commute each way.

I really didn't think they could do that but I have never worked part time before or requested it so I just wanted to get some info before I do.

Thanks again

They can't drop your Band because you want part time but what they could argue is that they want x number of hours for the Band 6 role. You are applying under flexible working so if they can produce a valid business reason for refusing then they have the right to do that. A compromise would be for you to do a Band 5 role instead for the reduced number of hours you want but this would need to be offered to you and for you to accept it. they couldn't just impose it because you've asked for less hours. I think that would be pretty crap though - you're working as a 6 and that's the level you deserve and SO MANY NHS nursing roles have reduced hours/job shares etc it would be hard for them to argue they have a business reason for you to be refused. Go ahead and ask.

Thanks Northern, been putting it off to be honest, worried about what would happen and how my request would be received, anxiety and stress levels seem to be through the roof after baby no 2!

I am normally confident and would have argued my corner but feel like I don't want the hassle at the moment.

I think you need to not get into a big discussion that forces you into any sort of decision.

Make your request to reduce your hours.
Leave it in their hands.

If they say no, they may say that your role cannot be done on a part time basis and that you will need to apply for a part time band 5 position. (i'm just trying to think of what sort of scenario your friend is talking about).

In this case, say you need to get some further advice about it and walk away without any commitment to anything.

You can always get a second opinion on where you stand with keeping your banding.

They may say yes, in which case, all is good.

Don't feel stressed about it. Your request is not unreasonable.

Thanks again nevergoogle, I know I need to get the request in, putting it off isn't going to help

thinking about it makes going back too close!