23 February 2015
Job Evaluation Update
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1
Why is the review happening?
In September 2014 we informed you that the Council had entered into a
contract with Hay Group to complete our job evaluation, including our schoolbased roles.
Significant progress has been made and we are now able to confirm that Hay
Group have completed their initial evaluation of the old Scale 6 and above
posts, the outcome of which is now subject to a sore-thumbing exercise.
Colleagues can be assured that the review process is well underway.
In order to ensure a robust and consistent approach, the Council is to tender
for a strategic partner to provide a job evaluation methodology for current DCC
Grades 1-6, and schools posts Scale 1–6 and Former Manual Worker Grades,
to complement the Hay methodology for current DCC Grades 7-14.
Q2
Who will be carrying out the review?
There is a commercial procurement exercise being carried out at present. This
exercise is expected to take between 3-4 weeks. Further communication will
be issued once this process has been completed.
Q3
What is the timescale for the review?
It is intended that the review will be completed by the end of December 2015.
However, this is dependent on the completion of the commercial procurement
exercise.
Q4
What is sore thumbing?
Sore thumbing is a term often used for a quality assurance check carried out
following a job evaluation exercise undertaken within an organisation.
Q5
The process enables jobs to be compared and contrasted, and further
checked across hierarchies.
When will results be announced?
The results will be reviewed as part of the process and further communication
will be provided nearer to the end of the review.
Q6
What is the impact on the Hay Group review?
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We will review the outcomes of the Hay Group review alongside the results of
this review and release them at the same time.
Q7
How much will the review cost?
This is subject to the commercial procurement exercise and until all bids have
been received and the contract awarded this cannot be determined.
Q8
Which jobs are going to be reviewed?
All posts at current DCC Grades 1–6 will be reviewed. In addition, support staff
in schools at Scale 1-6 and including Former Manual Grades (FMGs) will be
evaluated.
Q9
Will I need to complete a new JIQ (Job Information Questionnaire)?
No, not unless your job has changed fundamentally. The new strategic partner
will review all current JIQs. If in doubt, please speak to your Service Director.
Q10
What do I do if I think my JIQ is incorrect/has an error/is out of date?
As per question 9, you will only be able to submit a new JIQ for the review if
your job has changed fundamentally. If in doubt, please speak to your Service
Director.
Q11
Are you also reviewing terms and conditions of employment?
No. This is not in the scope of the job evaluation review.
Q12
Does this review mean my grade could change?
Yes your grade may change. It may go up, stay the same or go down but we
cannot say with any certainty what the outcome will be until the new strategic
partner has completed their review.
Q13
If my current grade goes down after the review, will I be entitled to pay
protection?
We will provide more detailed information on this as the review progresses.
Q14
Will I have to pay any salary back to the Council if my grade goes down
after the review?
No, you will not be asked to pay any money back to the Council.
Q15
If my grade goes up as a result of the review, will my pay be backdated?
We are not able to answer this at the moment but we will be holding further
meetings with staff as the review progresses and when we know more, we will
share this with you.
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Q16
How does the review affect new jobs being created?
Any new jobs created will not be included in the review that the new strategic
partner will carry out. We will assign a notional grade to the new job and when
it is advertised, clearly state that the grade is subject to job evaluation. This is
to ensure that recruitment to new jobs is not delayed.
Q17
What is the situation with appeals?
All appeals have been put on hold pending the completion of the review.
Q18
Will I have the right to appeal following the outcome of the review?
Yes, we will confirm how to do this in due course.
Q19
How will I be affected if my current pay protection period is due to end
before the completion of the review?
The Chief Executive made the commitment that no employee will suffer a
detriment during the review. Pay protection will continue beyond the 31st of
March 2015, until such time as the Council is in a position to implement the
full outcomes both for the current Hay review, and the imminent review of all
grades 1-6.
Q20
How do I learn more about the review process?
We will continue to update the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and
include more information on iDerby. We will also arrange to carry out briefings
across a number of sites in due course.
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