Human Resources

The University has a single pay spine which most members of staff are paid on. Clinical staff have their own salary scale in line with the NHS pay and grading structure.

The salary scales are split into grades, and your grade depends on your job.

Each year you will normally move one point up the scale until you reach the top of your grade. This is called an annual salary increment. However, you will not automatically move into the discretionary points (the shaded areas at the top of each grade of the University salary scales).

HE pay is negotiated at a national level. This year’s negotiating round on pay for 2020-21 was due to begin on 31 March 2020. UCEA and the joint trade unions, as the parties to JNCHES, issued a Joint Statement on 23 March 2020 confirming that negotiations on this year’s pay round have been delayed for the foreseeable future.

This decision was reached as the parties understand that the current threat posed by the Covid-19 is unprecedented and is impacting the ability to conduct normal operations for many organisations, including both HEIs and unions. It is a unique situation which shall not set a precedent for future negotiating rounds. This information will be updated when more is known about next steps nationally.

* UCEA and the five HE trade unions (EIS, GMB, UCU, UNISON and Unite)

How do you move up the incremental scale?

Each grade is made up of between five and seven points (not including the discretionary points) and you will start on one of these points when you join the University, are promoted or you move to a new role at a different grade.

If you are not at the top of the grade your increment will be paid either on the anniversary of your appointment (if that is the first of the month) or on the first of the month following your start date with us. Your increment date will be clearly stated on your letter of appointment or the letter confirming your promotion.

Can I move up the scale more quickly?

The University’s Reward Scheme takes place annually and provides a means for managers to reward our employees who are demonstrating a consistent and sustained level of performance, above and beyond our normal expectations for the role. Through this Scheme, your manager can apply to award additional scale increments over and above any annual increment you’d normally receive.

If you’re at the top of your grade, your manager can apply to award you a discretionary increment, if they feel your contribution has been exceptional and is over and above the normal expectation for someone in your role who's at the top of the grade.