Pay issues

[anonymous666]

Quick question: about 7 employees are on the same pay scale, all on various points of that scale depending on how long they'd been employed by the (public sector) organization in question in the UK. All had the same job title and job description. All 7 employees were promoted, and given new job titles and job descriptions and moved up a pay scale - once again, all had the same new job title and job description. However, the employees that were on lower points on the previous scale, where once again given lower points on the new scale.

 

From a legal standpoint, is this perfectly acceptable, regardless of the fact that they have been given new job titles and descriptions?

 

Thanks

[anonymous666]

Does anyone know if there is anything in employment law about this? The argument against is that it's a new job, therefore time employed by the company in a previous position should not be relevant. But I can't find anything for or against this.

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

As you haven't had any replies yet, you could try the ACAS website or helpline. It could be that no-one here who's looked at your thread has the right expertise.

 

My best, HB

[CONCILLIATOR]

First of all you are saying that you and your colleagues are in some sort of staff evaluation scheme?

 

Secondly, being as you are employed in the public sector, it would be reasonable to assume that some public sector Union has negotiated this scheme and that you and your colleagues, or a majority of the employees in your work place, accept it?

 

Your manager or Union Representative should be able to provide you with details of that scheme. Those details should provide information on what criteria is considered or taken into account when moving to a higher grade and progressing through any one grade.

 

You say promotion can get you into a higher grade. Is that the only way you can move to a higher grade?

 

You say length of service determines your progression through any one grade. Is that the only way you can progress within a grade?

 

Has your continuity of employment been affected by your promotion?

 

The next point to consider is how many of the skills, and how much of the knowledge and experience gained in your previous position are relevant to your new position?

 

Could it be argued that length of service in the lower grade might still be relevant and have a valid or significant bearing on performance in the new position?

 

Could a totally new employee expect to start at your place of work in your present higher grade or would she/he have to start in a lower grade and work their way up?