The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is recommending a 2.25 per cent increase in grounds staff’s national minimum salary bands for 2016.
The rise not only reflects the steady growth of the UK economy and the expected increase in inflation but will also, says the IOG:
- Assist grounds staff in managing the rising cost of living
- Ensure all staff are paid a living wage
- Align pay increase with overall market trends
- Maintain an affordable pay structure for all grounds staff, and
- Continue to invest in the development and training of young grounds staff.
Based on independent industry-wide research, the IOG also suggests an extension of 2 per cent to each pay band, to allow for additional professional development and career progression.
The recommended national basic salary bands for 2016 are:
Grounds manager £33,227 - £48,061
Heads groundsperson £28,338 - £37,021
Deputy head groundsperson/sole charge £23,184 - £28,441
Groundsperson (skilled) £21,681 - £26,585
Groundsperson £17,371 - £21,299
Junior groundsperson (Age 17) £14,769
Junior groundsperson (Age 16) £12,265
The bands reflect minimum recommended basic salary payment and are based on a 37.5 hour week. Bonuses, overtime and subsistence payments have not been included and are therefore additional.
The IOG also recommends that employers ensure they meet their obligations in terms of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and ensure fair payment for overtime worked – by agreement about the balance between overtime pay, time off in lieu or flexible working.
Regional pay allowances continue to be incorporated into the salary bands and the IOG recommends that higher cost areas of the country should make salary awards at the upper levels of the bands. Regional differences are:
Inner London £3,579
Outer London £2,137
Fringe areas £639-£1,283.
It is expected that the recommended minimum pay rate for a groundsperson in London should be £18,400.
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