If you are a new member of staff, or recently promoted to a new grade you will have noticed that there are between 3-5 points on the scale in the standard zone and each reflects the annual progression you receive on satisfactory performance (subject to nationally JNCHES negotiated pay rises – this year imposed without agreement at 1.5%). However, you will notice that last year there was an additional point at the top of the standard zone. For someone in the standard zone this means that you will hit the contribution zone one year earlier.

This point is important – pay rises in the contribution are so rare, we believe anecdotally it is between 3-5% (skewed to senior management), that it keeps pay held down with the standard zone acting as the upper limit. Staff already in the contribution zone at any point are marooned at that point in the scale.

You may have read recent press stories referring to real term pay cuts of approximately 19% between 2009-2019 but this is based on staff at least getting incremental rises – the situation at CU is worse because such incremental rises are denied to so many staff in the contribution zone.

Impact on pay – Illustrative Examples (Based on 2021/2022 values)

Case 1: Grade 7 – Already at, or joining at, pt32

Previously the above individual would have received 2 standard zone progressions over the following two years reaching grade 7 at pt34 at £38,587 (the current cap of the standard zone). Under the revised structure, passed secretly and without any consultation, this person will now hit the cap with grade 7 at pt33 at £37,467.

Let’s assume they stay at this pay point for the next 5 years, rather than progress in the contribution zone (it is nearly impossible after all), to a maximum of 7pt38 (top of the grade) which is £43,434 the financial cost to the individual will be as follows.

Scenario (a) – Assuming they had retained the old standard zone cap at 7pt34

Lost income over 5 years = £5,600

Scenario (b) – Assuming they had attained progression to the top of their grade (in accordance with a fair and objective appraisal system)

Lost income over 5 years = £16,600

Case 2: Grade 8 – Already at, or joining at, pt39

NOTE – Grade 8 has more of the pay points in the contribution zone so effectively 8 it would take 8 years to reach the top of the grade

Scenario (a) – Assuming they had retained the old standard zone cap at 8pt41

Lost income over 8 years = £11,016

Scenario (b) – Assuming they had attained progression to the top of their grade (in accordance with a fair and objective appraisal system)

Lost income over 8 years = £53,170