h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've been in dispute with my employers for the best part of four months now. To cut a long story short, I applied to have my job regraded in the annual promotions round on the basis of a set of criteria that most jobs of the higher grade involved. Fourteen critieria, thirteen ticks and a reasonable case for a fourteenth, which was optional anyway.

So I applied. And was rejected by HR for reasons that had nothing whatever to do with the publised criteria. I complained about this, and they admitted that they hadn't used the criteria and argued (implausibly) that they were for a different purpose. I also complained about factual errors in their evaluation of my application (ignored), and insisted that my application be put forward to the committee regardless of HR's opinion.

Unsurprisingly, it was rejected again. And then I had to chase around trying to get some feedback or explanation. None was forthcoming, as various senior people on the committee ruled themselves out of explaining their decision, and HR refused point blank to talk to me. Apparently it would be 'inappropriate'.

So I appealed. Management tried to block the appeal on completely spurious grounds, and then took five weeks to set it up when the appeals procedure set a limit of five days. I consulted the union, who agreed that I was entirely in the right. The appeal was heard and I presented a catalogue of errors large and small in the handling of my case.

Then I heard back today that the appeal was been turned down. Although I was required to state my case in writing, I do not have access to the 'defence' case and have not had the opportunity to respond - even though HR have been given this opportunity with my evidence. It'll be interesting to see what the union makes of this.....

No reasons have so far been forthcoming, but the person who heard the appeal has suggested a meeting in lieu of a written explanation. I've accepted on the condition that he puts his reasons in writing after the meeting and that I can have union representation in the meeting. I await the response.

HR's behaviour has been completely indefensible throughout, and I really can't see how any reasonable person can accept that the process has been carried out fairly. I look forward to finding out why on earth the person hearing the appeal has reached such an extraordinary conclusion.

And it better be good, or I'll have to go for formal grievance procedures or just save myself the bother and quit in disgust. I used to like my job and largely respected my employers, despite their occasional fits of incompetence. Oh well.

I've worked for a variety of institutions, and the most despised departments are generally: payroll, finance, IT support, and HR. But only in my current organisation is HR held in utter, utter contempt by anyone who has had any dealings with them. Though having said that, in previous employment I did once complain to my line manager about the conduct of my exit interview by HR.

So until this is resolved, I'm doing no overtime, taking every last second of my lunchbreak and annual leave, and doing no extra-curricular 'citizenship' activities for my employer which are outside my job description. No more health and safety committees, no more interview panels. Just no more.

The general consensus is that I've done really well in the last few years and have brought in a lot more money than was expected and transformed the way my department does things. Any chance of recognition or reward? Any chance of parity with similar jobs in other departments on a higher grade? Apparently not.

If the kind of work I do wasn't so hard to come by I'd resign tomorrow.....

They sound a right bunch of ers... You have my sympathy, if that's any consolation.

Thanks

The latest is that the meeting will take place in just over two and a half weeks. Which will take the time the *appeals process alone* has taken almost up to the 4 month mark. And this appeal process is apparently designed to be "quicker" than formal grievance proceedings.

All in the same week that another job that's pretty much identical to mine (apart from the higher salary, of course) is being advertised again. It's outside my speciality, sadly, but this won't affect the grading in any way.

New staff = have a ton of money
Years of service and success = sod off