Unsocial Hours
Updated: Friday 7 March 2008
New unsocial hours arrangements for NHS staff have been agreed by the NHS Executive.
The new rates will come into effect on 1 April 2008. Where rates have increased or decreased, there will be a transition process between 2008 and 2011 where people affected will be moved across to the new scales.
The RCN held a consultation with members on the final set of proposals in January and February of this year.
Under the new scheme, the rate for Registered Nurses will not change while rates for Healthcare Assistants on bands one to four will rise. The 'cap' at band six has been removed.
The proposals at a glance
All staff in the same band will for the first time be paid the same rate for working unsocial hours.
Registered nurses will retain their current rates of “Time plus 30%” for working unsocial hours on Saturdays and weekdays, and “Time plus 60%” for Sundays and public holidays.
And the current cap at the top of band six will be removed, allowing all registered nurses - including those on bands seven, eight and nine - to receive the supplement on their full earnings.
Meanwhile, unsocial hours payments for many Healthcare Assistants will rise. Supplements for band three staff will increase from 33% to 37% for Saturdays and weekdays, and from 66% to 74% for Sundays and public holidays.
The new arrangements will come into effect on 1 April 2008.
The new rates are as follows:
Any time on Saturday (midnight to midnight) and any week day after 8 pm and before 6 am:
Band 1 - Time plus 50%
Band 2 - Time plus 44%
Band 3 - Time plus 37%
Band 4-9 - Time plus 30%
All time on Sundays and Public Holidays (midnight to midnight):
Band 1 - Double time
Band 2 - Time plus 88%
Band 3 - Time plus 74%
Band 4-9 - Time plus 60%
1. Where the new rate is different than in the Agenda for Change Interim Arrangements, there will be a transitional phase to 31 March 2011. Over this period, staff will move gradually to the new rates.
2. The ‘50% rule’ is retained where if more than half of your shift is an USH period you will be paid USH on the full shift.
Useful links
For more information about the proposals, download the consultation document.
External link to announcement by NHS Employers, 28 February 2008
External link to NHS Employers Pay Circular about new unsocial Hours arrangements, 28 February 2008
External link to updated Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook (updated February 2008)