New job in the public sector - Increment scale

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OrpSpring

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Hi, I am on a panel for a job in the public sector. I have never worked in the public sector before.
It's a Grade 7 position and I was told that I would have to start at the lowest increment in the scale.
Is that always true or is it possible to negotiate a higher increment level based on private sector experience?
 
OrpSpring said:
Hi, I am on a panel for a job in the public sector. I have never worked in the public sector before.
It's a Grade 7 position and I was told that I would have to start at the lowest increment in the scale.
Is that always true or is it possible to negotiate a higher increment level based on private sector experience?
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New entrants to the public sector MUST start at the bottom afaik.
 
For some jobs in the public sector there may be scope for entry at a higher point in the scale but the circumstances where this can happen (e.g. where you might have a relevant qualification) will be clearly explained. Otherwise you’d start at the entry point.
 
gravitygirl said:
New entrants to the public sector MUST start at the bottom afaik
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It was possible pre 2008 to negotiate a higher point at entry.

You had to demonstrate skills and experience though, you couldn't just use your private sector salary.

I have no direct experience but I had read recently that in some cases they were showing flexibility again. All you can do is ask.
 
NoRegretsCoyote said:
It was possible pre 2008 to negotiate a higher point at entry.

You had to demonstrate skills and experience though, you couldn't just use your private sector salary.

I have no direct experience but I had read recently that in some cases they were showing flexibility again. All you can do is ask.
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I lost a very experienced and qualified person, at a similar grade to what the OP is referring to back to the private sector last year (who grudgingly accepted the job and then tried to negotiate the salary point afterwards).

My understanding, from trying to support them, is that if there's a panel (which indicates a pool of suitable people willing to do the job for the salary advertised), they'll just ask you if you want the job or not. If you don't, they'll shrug and move on to the next person on the panel. Entry at a higher point would only be considered if they actually can't fill the position without doing it. Realistically that'll only apply in very niche and/or quite senior roles.
 
torblednam said:
If you don't, they'll shrug and move on to the next person on the panel.
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PAS are simply a clearing system. So you'd have to accept, and then start the negotiation process directly with the department or state body involved. From cases I know of back in the day what worked was "I will be a big addition to your organisation with my skills and experience" rather than "the market rate is €x and I won't accept anything less". So what I would do is get the offer, talk to the employer, sound very keen, send them your CV, look to see where you'll be placed, etc. At that point try a "by the way, I think I'm valuable enough to you to start me on a higher increment point". The worse they will do is say no, they won't be able to rescind the offer.


torblednam said:
Entry at a higher point would only be considered if they actually can't fill the position without doing it. Realistically that'll only apply in very niche and/or quite senior roles.
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I would think most feasible for something specialist like in Revenue or one of the regulators. I have no experience of the health sector.
 
NoRegretsCoyote said:
So what I would do is get the offer, talk to the employer, sound very keen, send them your CV, look to see where you'll be placed, etc. At that point try a "by the way, I think I'm valuable enough to you to start me on a higher increment point".
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Without knowing the specifics of the job, unless it’s a difficult position to fill, negotiation isn’t really an option. If you accept the offer, it will be assumed that you’re willing to accept the stated pay as part of that offer. It won’t play well if you start trying to renegotiate the deal as soon as you land. You’re highly unlikely to achieve any improvement.
 
Salvadore said:
Without knowing the specifics of the job, unless it’s a difficult position to fill, negotiation isn’t really an option. If you accept the offer, it will be assumed that you’re willing to accept the stated pay as part of that offer. It won’t play well if you start trying to renegotiate the deal as soon as you land. You’re highly unlikely to achieve any improvement.
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Yes, but there is no downside and some upside to the strategy I outlined above.
 
Hi there,

I don't think there is anything necessarily wrong with asking. The worst that can happen is that they confirm a "no" and you're no worse off.

I work in the public sector and in late 2019 we had 2 new entrants to the section I work in. One was initially told that they were on the bottom of the scale and the other requested that his experience was taken into consideration. He was given 5th increment on the scale, much to our surprise (increase of +€7,900 in salary). We'd always been told that new entrants had to start on the bottom rung. Thereafter, when the other entrant got wind of this and sought clarification, they were also given the 5th increment on their scale.

It can happen.......
 
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