Job Evaluation - Any one had it ?

[broc]

All LAs are supposed to have done their job evaluation exercise by April 07, I believe only 1/3 have actually completed the exercise so far, with mixed results.

The root of this problem goes back at least 10 years when some councils were paying female staff less than male staff doing equivalent work & also discriminating against women by not paying bonuses. HM Govt told LAs to sort it as there were many legal claims heading for courts. The employers & unions signed up to an agreement to sort it but there has been a distinct lack of funds from central govt to support the exercise so many LAs seem to be tempted to try implementing Job Evaluation by 'robbing' Peter to pay Paul.

I also believe there are potential financial penalties on LAs who don't complete by the deadline, so expect a rush in the next 3 months!

The irony is, in schools any 'savings' made by the LA evaluating school support staff downwards does not contribute to reducing the LAs total wage bill as the money schools get is formula-driven & determined by the number of students. If your HT is sensitive to the morale & wellbeing of their support staff they can & should be able to defend their support staff from the excesses of JE. In theory........

ps if you really want to be depressed about JE look at

http://www.labouruniondigest.org.uk

[jimmckenna]

Kylie,

you are right. If our county council insists on pushing through JE our HT and many others in Staffordshire are considering moving to Foundation Status.

Broc,

you are also correct in that LA's cannot "claw back" any cost savings that are made within schools through the JE process!!