Public and Commercial Services Union

BBs 020/09 and 024/09 issued in January reported on a bi lateral agreement with the DWP Jobcentre Plus (JCP) for suitable vacancies to be made available to pre-surplus members in HMRC.

Siting of DWP posts

It was reported then that here was still some work to be done to match JCP recruitment needs with pre-surplus HMRC staff. JCP have urgent recruitment needs in different areas due to the rapid rise in unemployment and are recruiting a mix of permanent and temporary or FTA staff.

It is the permanent posts that it is hoped will provide a suitable alternative, not the FTA posts. The bi lateral agreement aims to identify the recruitment needs in JCP and then match them with HMRC pre surplus staff.

These matches will then be advertised to pre surplus HMRC members. JCP have some flexibility as to where they will site the posts and whether they will be permanent or Fixed Term Appointments (FTAs).

E-mails to pre-surplus members

The HMRC Redeployment team are identifying pre-surplus HMRC members who are interested in a redeployment to JCP. They have e-mailed pre-surplus AO and O members and their managers (some pre surplus members are absent on leave, career breaks etc) to ask if they are interested. The intention would be to ask JCP to offer permanent posts to interested pre-surplus members.

JCP are not recruiting significant numbers in other grades. However, the redeployment team is working with JCP to identify posts in all grades and locations. If posts in other grades are on offer they will ensure that our pre-surplus members are made aware and given priority.

A move to JCP will not suit all members for a variety of different reasons and no member should feel pressured into going.

Members who are not interested in a move to JCP should use the voting button on the e-mail to say so.

Just as those who are interested should use the voting button to say they are interested. All replies are helpful for the matching process.

Points to note

• Moves are purely voluntary, both departments recognise that HMRC members cannot be compulsorily transferred to the DWP.
   
• FTA posts in JCP are not suitable for pre-surplus HMRC members.
   
• The current JCP national salary pay range for AO’s is £14,700 - £17,600.
   
• The current JCP national salary range for O’s is £19,650 - £23,990.
   
• If your current salary is within the JCP pay range for your grade, you will transfer on your current salary.
   
• If your current salary is above the JCP maximum for your grade you would transfer on your current salary and mark time until the JCP maximum catches up with your current salary. The mark time arrangement is funded by HMRC for the first three years and by JCP thereafter.
   
• You would transfer with your existing annual leave entitlement.
   
• JCP offer flexible working hours and alternative working patterns.
   
• HMRC’s OGD redeployment payment scheme is available if you have an increase in travel costs.

Further information

The departmental intranet will be updated soon and will provide the following:

• JCP’s recruitment pack
• Application forms
• Pay tables
• Example job descriptions
• Guidance on
  • eligibility 
  • effects on key terms and conditions
  • application and selection process
  • What managers and staff need to do before transferring
• Links to existing related guidance

Members choice

The jobs advertised under these arrangments will not suit everyone or solve every problem, however, it forms part of a package of measures which together are designed to avoid compulsory redundancies or forced moves of home. It is an option which members can choose to take or not.