Harmonisation opt-in

The result of the recent trade union ballot on harmonisation was two ‘yes’ votes and one ‘no’ vote. This means a collective agreement has not been reached and we are unable to implement proposals to align the pay and terms of impacted staff.

To learn more about this and the next steps we are taking to resolve this process for impacted staff, watch the short clip from Jim Barton.

What happens next?

We have agreed with trade unions that we will therefore run an individual opt-in exercise for staff in scope to be harmonised. This opportunity will be:

  • One-off
  • Time limited
  • An opt-in to the same harmonisation proposals which were put to trade union members in the recent ballots.

Read details of the harmonisation proposals

View a summary of the harmonisation proposals Harmonisation Proposal Fact Sheet

Find out more about what you would be opting into.

What is an opt-in?

An opt-in is a way of us asking you if you agree to us changing your terms and conditions to those of the Probation Service, and if you agree to your pay being aligned to the pay scales for the part of the organisation that you work in (such as MoJ, HMPPS or the Probation Service).

This will apply to staff who were formerly working for parent and supply chain organisations and to former CRC staff now working to roles in HMPPS HQ and MOJ awaiting pay alignment only.

You do not need to be a member of a trade union to opt in.

Timescales and next steps

We will run the opt-in process as quickly as we can.

We have more work to do with SSCL to confirm the timetable for running the opt-in and will share this with you as soon as possible. To opt-in, you will receive a letter from SSCL containing details of your new pay including any applicable allowances or pay protection. You will then have three weeks to respond. The current proposed timeframes are for the opt-in letters to be sent from SSCL in November 2022

We have commissioned SSCL to find and contact people who are not currently actively working in the business – for example those on parental leave.

How will I know what is happening?

We will keep you informed by written updates on every fortnight, or sooner where there is more information available.

Find the latest update here: Message from Jim Barton re Harmonisation ballot – Welcome Hub (hmppsintranet.org.uk)

You can read the latest information for staff leaving the Probation Service here: Harmonisation outcome – update for staff leaving the Probation Service – Welcome Hub (hmppsintranet.org.uk)

During the opt-in window, once the letters have been released, we will be running Q&A events via MS Teams so that you can drop in and ask any further questions you may have. We will confirm the dates for these once we have confirmed the timetable for issuing the opt-in letters.