- Conference
- 2024 Police, Probation and CAFCASS Conference
- Date
- 19 June 2024
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference, colleagues working for the Probation Service will be aware of the ongoing difficulties faced by staff when their roles become subject to job evaluation. Recent experience has made it all too clear to UNISON members that the employer clearly views this as a scheme owned by HMPPS rather than a shared agreement with the recognised trade unions. There is clear evidence in recent job evaluations that even then, HMPPS is willing to dramatically depart from the process causing considerable distress, anger and confusion as a result.
As a result of recent job evaluations, our members have lost all faith in the scheme, viewing it as a means used by the employer to force changes to their terms and conditions of employment. These changes are made in the face of evidence of the level of responsibility and complexity their jobs present provided by our members.
There is also clear evidence of the erosion of role boundaries within the Probation Service and a failure to recognise the value of the professional Probation Qualification. In essence, it appears that there is a fracturing and dissolution of existing roles, making the Probation Service a mosaic of staff on differing terms and conditions. Not only does this create bitterness and division amongst our members, it makes UNISON’s job of fighting for fair pay for our members all the harder.
Conference, if UNISON and our members are to have any faith in the Job Evaluation Scheme used by the Probation Service, there is an urgent need for root and branch reform of the process. It is also urgent that any changes that are made to the process fully involve UNISON and its sister trade unions. Without this involvement, we have no guarantee that job evaluation will be an accurate reflection of the work of our members, rather than a tool of the employer to achieve its own aims.
UNISON calls upon the Service Group Executive to work with the Probation Service National Committee in order:
1) To maintain pressure on HMPPS to organise a full review of the current Job Evaluation Scheme
2. To fully consult the national representatives of UNISON in conducting this review
3. To maintain the current joint ownership of the Job Evaluation Scheme with the recognised trade unions
4. To work to ensure the Job Evaluation Scheme is fit for purpose.