Market pay

This allowance is applicable to all staff on grades 1-10. 

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Particularly difficult market conditions, leading to problems recruiting and retaining particular categories of staff, should be discussed with the Reward team who will be able to advise as to whether a market-based supplement may be applicable. 

A market supplement may be considered where all the following conditions are evidenced: 

• There is significant risk to business critical activities caused by lack of staff with key skills in the specific roles because there are vacancies or significant risk of vacancies and evidence that suitable candidates do not or will not apply 
• The data for the relevant external market indicates a significant premium 
• Non-pay recruitment and retention initiatives are not sufficient to secure the key skills

The appropriate grade is determined through HERA job evaluation. Market supplements are paid as an allowance equal to the difference between the top point of the discretionary range and the market rate as determined by the Reward team. Market data will be obtained by the Reward team from specialist sources with access to relevant and appropriate pay market data. 

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Market supplements are managed separately from basic pay and are paid as an allowance equal to the difference between the top point of the discretionary range and the market rate as determined by the Reward team. 

Eg If a total salary of £70,000 is required to recruit to a grade 9 business critical role, the member of staff would be paid at the top of their grade range with Grade 9.9 (currently £60,905) with a market supplement of £9,095. 

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Market pay allowances are not automatically subject to cost of living increases. The Reward team conduct an annual review of market pay allowances and will instruct Payroll of any necessary adjustments to market pay in the light of cost of living increases and market data. Where the market data indicates that the skills no longer command a premium in the external market, the supplement will be frozen at its current level. Departments will be notified by email of any adjustments made.  

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This allowance is normally applicable to Associate Professors on grades 10a, but may also apply to other grades covered by the Senior Appointments Panel (Statutory Professors, RSIV, ALC6, grade E82).

On occasion salary supplements are required to secure the appointment or retention of staff on the Associate Professor grade.

Cases will only be considered on the grounds of retention where the need is acute ie a firm offer has been made and it is thought likely that the individual will accept it, or there is clear evidence of momentum towards such an offer.

Detailed procedures on making requests for supplements can be found on the Senior Appointments Panel page here.

Salary supplements which have been agreed by the Senior Appointments Panel on the grounds of recruitment or retention are managed separately from basic pay and are paid as an allowance on top of basic pay.

Eg If a total salary of £70,000 is required to recruit or retain an Associate Professor, the member of staff would be paid at the top of their grade range at Grade 10a point 11 (currently £64,605) with a salary supplement of £5,395.

Requests require authorisation from the Senior Appointments Panel and must be submitted via the relevant Divisional Office.

Cases are considered at SAP meetings, which are held monthly. Very pressing cases may be considered by correspondence. Further information can be found on the Senior Appointments Panel page here.

Cost of living increases are negotiated nationally by UCEA and effective from 1 August each year.