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Payments over the advertised rate

Last year we reported on a number of instances of payments significantly higher than the advertised rate or top of the advertised range to candidates from the private sector. In one case this was as much as 100% over the advertised rate. We also reported a number of instances where civil servant candidates were paid significantly under the advertised rate or bottom of the advertised range.

This year the picture is more mixed. There continue to be instances of significant salary payments over or above the advertised rate or range. However this year some of the payments over the advertised rate or range went to candidates from the Civil Service. At the other end of the scale, some of the payments under the advertised rate or range went to candidates from the private sector.

There were no instances this year of payments higher than 33% over the advertised rate. Last year there were two and the highest was +100%. As noted, last year all payments over the advertised rate went to non-civil servants. This is not true this year. In a number of instances civil servants negotiated salaries above the advertised salary. Overall, the number of instances of over-payment seems to be declining. Last year, of 90 appointments, 11 were overpayments of the advertised rate. This year, of 105 appointments, 7 were over the advertised rate.

There were a number of instances where appointments were made for a fixed term, often three years, and the negotiated package included very considerable annual and terminal bonuses. These bonus arrangements were far in excess of the normal bonus arrangements for the Senior Civil Service. The Commissioners recognise that such bonus arrangements may be valid for some jobs. However, we believe that if such arrangements are contemplated then this should be clearly spelled out in the job information pack.