Archive for category: News

25 October 2022

Harmonisation opt-in window and process

We can now confirm further details of the harmonisation opt-in exercise, which will allow staff who remain on legacy terms to opt-in to proposals to align their terms and conditions to those of the Probation Service, and their pay to the pay scales for the part of the organisation they work in (either Probation Service, HMPPS or MoJ).

What am I opting in to?

Staff choosing to opt in will be opting in to exactly the same harmonisation proposal that was put to trade union members in the recent ballots. As you know, we were unable to reach agreement via staff ballots so impacted staff are now invited to consider opting in on an individual basis.

Full harmonisation proposals and summary document

You can also still view the engagement sessions, where we ran through the proposals in more detail as a reminder of the key points. These can be found on the events page of the Probation Hub.

How do I opt-in?

We anticipate that you will receive your opt-in letter from SSCL by e-mail on 9 November 2022. You will then have 15 days in which to respond.

• 9 November – you receive your opt-in letter

• 9-15 November – engagement sessions run for staff and line managers

• 29 November – opt-in window closes

• January 2023 payroll – you will receive your updated pay and any backpay

The letters will be slightly different, depending on your circumstances – based on the organisation you came from and where you are now working (either Probation Service, MoJ or HMPPS).

However, all the letters will contain:

• Details of your pay assimilation including your role, band and salary
• Any pay protection you will have.

For former Parent Organisation and Supply Chain staff, they will also have:

• Your hours of work
• Any allowances you will be due
• Confirmation of your terms and conditions, including leave entitlements and expense rates.

Your letter will tell you how to respond in order to opt-in – it is important that if you want to opt in, you respond before the deadline. If you do not wish to opt-in, you will not need to respond to the letter and will remain on your legacy arrangements.

If you have not been aligned to a band or grade since transfer, you will be given the opportunity to defer opting in until February 2023. Your letter will indicate if this applies to you. Please note you will actively need to respond, indicating your decision to defer.

Backdating annual leave

Read the Guidance on Probation Service annual leave and how to calculate backdated annual leave.

When will my pay change?

If you choose to opt-in, we are on track to process changes to your pay in time for the January payroll. This will incorporate any backpay due, including as a result of pay awards (PS, MoJ, HMPPS).

CBF and opting-in

Find out more

You can find the recordings of staff sessions on the events page. You can also view the slide packs for the sessions:

• Harmonisation Opt in exercise – Impacted staff
• Harmonisation Opt in exercise – Impacted staff former CRC
• Harmonisation Opt in exercise – Line Managers of impacted staff