Introduction
The University is an accredited Voluntary Living Wage (VLW) employer and is committed to paying our staff the Living Wage. The rate is set independently and updated annually in line with inflation and the cost of living and this year will increase to £9.90 per hour.
As a result of the increase the University has agreed to make changes to the number of Spine Points within Grades 2, 3 and 4. This is to ensure that we continue to offer the Living Wage to our staff whilst also recognising the difference between roles at different grades at the University.
If you are employed at Grades 2, 3 or 4 and affected by these changes, you will receive a letter explaining the changes by 31 March 2022.
What are the changes?
With effect of the 1 April 2022 the University will be making the following changes:
Grade 2: This Grade will now start on Spine Point 8 [£9.93] with two exceptional contribution points available at Spine Points 9 and 10.
Grade 3: This Grade will now start on Spine Point 9 [£10.12]. Spine Point 11 [£10.59] will be converted from an exceptional contribution point to a normal progression point, with three exceptional contribution points at Spine Points 12, 13 and 14.
Grade 4: This Grade will now start on Spine Point 12 [£10.85].
This is illustrated in the table below:
| Spine Point | Grade (NPP) | Grade (ECP) | Annual Salary (1.0 FTE) | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 5 | 4 | £24,174 | £12.74 |
| 17 | 5 | 4 | £23,487 | £12.37 |
| 16 | 5 | 4 | £22,847 | £12.04 |
| 15 | 4 | £22,254 | £11.72 | |
| 14 | 4 | 3 | £21,686 | £11.43 |
| 13 | 4 | 3 | £21,135 | £11.14 |
| 12 | 4 | 3 | £20,600 | £10.85 |
| 11 | 3 | £20,092 | £10.59 | |
| 10 | 3 | 2 | £19,623 | £10.34 |
| 9 | 3 | 2 | £19,209 | £10.12 |
| 8 | 2 | £18,852 | £9.93 |
NPP - Normal Progression Point
ECP - Exceptional Contribution Point
The current pay and grading structure can be found here: University of Bath pay and grading structure. This will be updated to the new structure detailed above on 1 April 2022.
What does this mean for our staff?
From 1 April 2022 the lowest Spine Points of Grades 2, 3 and 4 will be increasing. Staff in these Grades who on this date would have been employed on a Spine Point that is below this, will move up to the lowest Spine Point within their Grade in the pay scale.
Spine Point 11 will also become a normal progression point for Grade 3. This means that those at Grade 3 on Spine Point 10 will be able to progress to Spine Pont 11 as part of the University’s annual incremental progression process from 1 April 2022. This will be dependent on the individual meeting the eligibility criteria.
Please note that the table above shows the full time equivalent salary for each Spine Point and this would be pro-rated for part time staff.
What happens if I am currently employed on an exceptional contribution point?
If you will be affected by these changes then the letter you receive from Human Resources will explain how these affect you personally and this will include details of your Grade and Spine Point.
How will I know if this affects me?
All staff who are affected by these changes will receive a letter to their home address to confirm how the changes will affect them by 31 March 2022. If on the 1 April 2022 you are employed on a Spine Point that is not going to be affected by these changes you will not receive a letter.
How will I find out what Spine Point I will be on?
If you will be affected by these changes then the letter you receive from Human Resources will explain how these affect you personally and this will include details of your Grade and Spine Point.
Will this affect Hourly Paid Workers?
The pay rates for hourly paid workers (sometimes referred to as casual workers) at Grades 2, 3 and 4 will also change so that they remain in line with the lowest Spine Point of the grade. Please note that hourly paid workers will continue to receive holiday pay in addition to their hourly rate and so the total amount that they receive differs from the hourly rates shown in the table above.
Hourly Paid workers will not be written to individually but can see how the changes will affect them by visiting the webpage rates of pay for hourly paid workers on the University’s website. Those engaged in work at Grades 2, 3 or 4 will also see an increase in their hourly rate of pay in their payslip, for any work carried out from 1 April 2022.