Job evaluation (JE) is something we frequently hear mentioned when talking about equal pay claims. It is a tool that is often used in the claims process to identify if two job roles are similar enough to make a good case for a claim. But what is it really all about?   The next series of blogs will explain more.

From a user perspective JE is a tool we use to understand how important and complex different jobs are within an organisation. It's a way for to decide how each job compares to others in your organisation and ultimately how much it should be paid compared to its colleagues.

Each job requires different skills, responsibilities, and effort. With the most popular types of scheme, we give each job a score or rating based on factors like the skills needed, how much decision-making is involved, how physically demanding it is, and the level of responsibility.  This is known as factor based evaluation and we will look at other types in later blogs.  It is important to note that training and guidance is provided to ensure that the person undertaking the JE process makes consistent decisions about the level of each role.

Generally, to undertake the evaluation we use data that most organisations already hold:

·       job descriptions

·       task lists

·       organisation structures/organograms

Although we also can use questionnaires or interviews with jobholders to get any information that is not already available.

By using JE and following an objective process, the company can make fair decisions about salaries and benefits. Jobs that are more challenging or crucial to the company's success might get paid more than jobs that are simpler or less essential.

But it can also be used for other reasons: 

·       to identify and articulate the skills gaps in your organisation

·       to specify and manage training requirements for each job role

·       to support performance management and discussions with jobholders

·       to support organisation design and change, and (of course),

·       to support and defend against equal pay claims.

So, in simple terms, job evaluation is a tool we can use to consistently measure and compare different jobs in order to determine how they align within the structure, and ultimately how much they should be paid and benefits they get.  It's a way to ensure fairness in pay decisions and make sure staff are rewarded appropriately for the work they do.

If you have questions about job evaluation, feel free to put them here.