08 November 2017
The States of Jersey is modernising the way it employs people. For the first time there will be a common reward structure and harmonised terms and conditions for more than 5,000 staff.
A three-year review, consultation and negotiation process has seen a collaborative approach between the States of Jersey, employees and unions. The outcome of phase one of the modernisation programme is a simpler, fairer set of policies, a new reward structure and common terms and conditions. It will also remove historical inconsistencies in the public sector’s employment framework.
The Chair of the States Employment Board, Senator Andrew Green, said “These changes will mean fairer and more consistent treatment for employees doing the same type of job across the public sector. We are tackling historical inconsistencies and preparing our organisation for the future. We want one workforce working for one government, so we can be flexible to meet the future service demands of the Island.”
Restructuring the public sector employment framework is an integral part of the Reform Programme. It will eventually encompass all public sector employees, but has been divided into two phases. The first phase covers employees in Health and Social Services, and States Services, which covers nine pay groups, including civil servants, manual workers, nurses and midwives. The second phase will cover executives, uniformed services and teachers. A separate review will be conducted for doctors, consultants, Crown appointments, legal advisers and law draftsmen.
96% of affected staff will see an increase in pensionable pay to the end of 2020. A small minority – fewer than 200 – will see a drop in pensionable pay, due to the removal of historic pay protection arrangements or because of more accurate payment for shifts. However, these employees will receive 100% pay protection until the end of 2020.
Senator Green added “Reform is essential, and modernising the way we employ people is fundamental to changing way we deliver services. We currently have more than 20 sets of terms and conditions and 75 pay grades in a structure that is unsustainable, unfair and inflexible. Working with our union partners, we have tackled these inconsistencies to create a single set of terms and conditions and 10 pay grades.
“Our public sector reform programme is about more than making short-term savings: it’s also about becoming more efficient, more digital, trying to do more with less and making the organisation fit for the future. Rewarding our staff appropriately and fairly is part of this reform, which is why we are increasing pay for front-line staff – 1,000 nurses and midwives, 35 paramedics, and more than 800 manual workers will see average pay rises of between 7% and 21% over four years
“These changes will not only mean greater flexibility for the public sector, but will mean one workforce working for one government, with employees able to progress in their careers by moving between departments, throughout their working lives, on the same terms and conditions.”
gov.je