Single status is the harmonisation of pay and conditions across a local authority for comparable posts. Following the national single status agreement on local government conditions of service and pay scales in 1997, local authorities have until 31 March 2007 to implement single status.
This affects public and school libraries. The agreement requires existing pay and grading arrangements to be reviewed.
The main features of the single status agreement are:
- One pay spine.
- Harmonisation of conditions of service.
- A standard working week of 37 hours or less.
- Grading reviews based on equal pay.
- Equal status for part-time employees.
- A new deal on training and development.
- Partnership working between management and trade unions.
The single status agreement includes carrying our Equality Impact Assessments and equal pay reviews. Authorities may adopt different procedures for implementing this process; many have chosen to use a formal job evaluation process. The post holder may be interviewed individually, or a group of post holders may be interviewed for a collective representation. In collective representations a generic job description may be provided. Post holders may appeal for a further assessment of the post. If there are major changes to job descriptions and roles then the post should be open to revaluation.
cilips (The Chartered Institute of Information Professionals in Scotland) have produced a General Guide to Single Status Job Evaluation in 2006
It is best to seek clarification from your employer and or trade union before the evaluation process begins.
Membership of a trade union will give access to further support.
Updated: 12 September 2007