I see on my payslip I have been appointed on the higher scale matching my standard on regular HEO scale. I was officially appointed to the higher scales in January so will go on to the next point in January 2026 and then the next point on June 2026. Will I be back dated in this case would you know?
thank you!
It's an insanely complicated system which took me quite a while to get my head around. You will probably go onto an off-point scale on the higher system with a new date calculated for your next (full) increment point. It can take several months for NSSO to apply the change but it will be backdated to whatever point you were deemed to have been awarded the uplift. Best advice - get in contact with NSSO and ask them specifically what your relevant dates, increment point and new rate will be.
Also, congratulations.
I have just recently been appointed to the higher scales. I understand it takes a year before you see the financial benefit. I’m just wondering my increment date is in June does this remain the same or does the date you get appointed to the higher scales the new increment date?
Also is it back dated to the date in which you were eligible for the higher scales? As in after two years at that grade?
I started as CO in 2017. A few weeks later another member started as CO, she was also on the EO panel, up EO position came up and she was retained as they also required EOs for that section. She never worked in the Civil Service prior and by pot luck for her EO position she immediately went on tho Higher Scale pay. It is to do with the percentage of grades in a department and seniority and what ever other formula they use, it clearly has nothing to do with them length of service as she was only in the door, she was the only EO in the section so had something to do with that. But like others have said not sure how it works in smaller departments. I'm very curious myself as I'm now only one of two in my department
Hi there, does anyone know how to interpret 50% seniority and then 50% merit based requirements for the Higher Grade CO? Do you still have to have 2 years service to be eligible on merit do you know? And if so, does the 2 years service have to be when you apply or when the posts will be vacant as I see there seems to be a time lag between applying for and the availability of the higher pay grade if that makes sense?
Don’t think that true, as I’ve seen people who have been awarded it who have less service than others who have gone for it. I think it’s actually pull that gets most people the scale. I don’t think it’s a fair system anyway.
This is an old union item seemingly for AO's https://forsatradeunion.newsweaver.com/designtest/p4hs0nt6b30
How higher scales are appointed is a matter for the Union branch not management
I have been in Departments where the branch decided to change things and even one where at one grade it was 100% seniority by choice and another grade chose 50/50
AP (and PO) higher scale appointments aren't done across the service in a manner similar to the other grades.
As far as I'm aware the majority of appointments are done via full promotion competition, and will result in placement in D/Taoiseach, D/Finance or D/PENDR (formerly D/PER). It's acceptable for 100% of APs and POs in those 3 Departments to be on the higher scale, although they can still appoint from the other panels). The most recent competition circular for AP Higher is 14/2023.
It's possible other orgs also make AP Higher scale appointments, but I believe those would also differ from how it's done for other scales because it's technically defined as a promotion.
Just to note, AP and PO Higher scales existed long before the other higher scales and we're historical lye full promotions.
Is there a circular on the higher pay scales at AP level. I think there is a calculation done based on the amount of salaries paid to APs and the number of Higher scales that may be paid in a Department is based on a calculation linked to the amount of salaries paid.
However I would like to see the circular to confirm this
gerrybbadd wrote: » When i worked for revenue, these assignments would come around. Anyone could apply for them.
Duffryman wrote: » Isn't it that the Higher Scales just applies for those recruited before 2013 (or whatever date it was), and the ordinary scales applies to people who started since then?
Ravelleman wrote: » Is there an established process for assigning senior staff to higher pay scales? Is this ever done by competition? How does this apply to smaller Departments/agencies where there may be small numbers of personnel at a given grade?
The annual PMDS cycle concludes with a formal review by the employee and the manager of achievements over the year. This is recorded on an Annual Review Form. This process involves the manager formally rating the employee’s performance. The annual review meeting also provides an opportunity for the jobholder to give feedback to his/her manager. PMDS ratings are used in decisions relating to the awarding of increments, assignments to higher scales and eligibility for promotion, as well as identifying under-performance.
drake70 wrote: » This is correct although I'm not sure of the percentage.
doc22 wrote: » Senority I'd guess for the most senior 25-30% in a grade
