The three year pay deal negotiated by UNISON for NHS staff last year delivered pay rises for those on the lowest pay bands in the NHS.
In April 2019, the start of the second year of the pay deal, staff in band 1 were given the opportunity to move from band 1 to band 2.
As we approach the end of the three years we want as many staff to move to band 2 to get the benefits of the deal as possible.
You can find out more about the deal here
What does moving to band 2 mean mean?
Moving to band 2 is not about applying for a new job so there won’t be a job interview. Your employer will need to meet with you to ensure you have the right information to make your choice.
Your job role shouldn’t change much. You may already be doing a band 2 job but your job description just needs updating. Or your employer just needs to change your job description a little to get the role into band 2. Either way your employer has committed to give you any additional training and support you may need.
Unsocial hours payments are slightly lower in band 2 so to ensure you don’t lose out, your earnings will be protected for the whole period of the transition at your old rate until you move to the top of band 2. The only exception is where you change to work fewer unsocial hours in a new role.
The NHS Staff Council has developed an infographic to help explain what pay protection will mean for you.
We want you to get to the top of band 2 as soon as possible
Everyone in band 1 should have got a choice to move to band 2 in April 2019. If you never made this choice then you can still rely on the effective date, meaning you should reach the top of band 2 by 1 April 2021.
If you said no to the earlier choice exercise you can still change your mind by speaking to your manager, for example at your appraisal. This will mean you will get to the top of band 2 within 2 years of moving across.
We want you to earn more money
Your individual circumstances are important. Your entitlements to state benefits may be affected by moving to band 2.
Your individual circumstances are important. Your entitlements to state benefits may be affected by moving to band 2.
We want you to earn more money so you may need to check with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or the Citizens’ Advice. The current and future rates of pay can be found on the briefing below.
If you need more information talk to your union rep and your line manager.
Not in a union?
FAQs
NHS band 1 to 2 FAQs
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What will my pay be if I move to band 2 on 1 April 2019?
If you moved across as part of the first choice exercise you should reach the top of band 2 by 1 April 2021. If you originally said no, you can still move to band 2 now, meaning you will reach the top of band 2 within 2 years.
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I work on a bank contract, does this affect me?
If your contract mirrors agenda for change then they should be included. If not then your employer is strongly recommended to consider including you in the up-skilling exercise.
The pay you receive should reflect the work you are doing. If you work on the bank and are covering a band 2 role then you should be paid at this rate.
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I work for a private contractor does this affect me?
The national advice is for the NHS provider to be in talks with the private contractor over up-skilling their workforce and adopting the NHS pay arrangements. This is a priority for UNISON.
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I’m being put under pressure to make a decision by my line manager, what should I do?
No one should be put under pressure to make a decision. You should be supported and given information to make your decision. If you are put under pressure you should report this to you union.
Bullying is not acceptable. If you are being bullied over your decision then you need to raise this. It is against the principles holding up the NHS and it is not tolerated.
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At the moment I get my unsocial hours when I am sick. Will the move to band 2 change this?
Unsocial hours are now paid to people who earn less than £18,160. If you stay on band 1 your pay will increase to £18,005 by the end of the pay deal. This means a 1% pay increase would take you above this level and you would not get them, even if you stayed in band 1.
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I’m a supervisor. What’s going to happen to my role?
UNISON believes that the best way to make sure you are getting the right pay for the job you do is through the NHS Job Evaluation Scheme. If you have taken on additional skills and tasks then you should ask for your job description to be updated and you may be able to ask for your job to be re-evaluated if this hasn’t happened in a while.