I was so excited when I finally got the call that I was to
become a Temporary Inspector, the hard work of studying for the Part 1 and
Part 2 examinations had finally paid off! I ordered my new epaulets - the ones
with the pips on! My new name badge and hat, eagerly awaiting their arrival
from stores and opening them up like an excited child on Christmas day.
I was a temporary Inspector for over 12 months in two
different Branches, first as the Hub manager for the OCB and then as part of
the Capability Support Team in the External Relations & Performance Branch.
My temporary promotion came with a temporary pay rise,
although I failed to take notice of the ‘temporary’ part of this! As the time
passed I started to live within the means of my new salary and then came the
dreaded phone call.......... I was being reverted back to the rank of Sergeant
and into a new role.
After getting over the disappointment that this inevitably
brings, I began to look forward to my new challenge and getting back on the
front line of Response policing. I started as you tend to do, back on the night
shift and soon realised I was going to have to adjust to my new Division and to
working shifts again.
I then had the
realisation that I was going to have to adjust to a drop in pay, as I reverted
to back my original pay scale, compounded with my new posting that was on the
opposite side of the Force to where I lived which dramatically increased my
travel costs.
Things were difficult at home as we tightened our belt and
slowly but surely the adjustments were made, but not without a bit of pain.
I realised that officers and police staff subject to
temporary promotions were not provided with any financial advice and as more
and more positions become temporary until the structure of the Force is
decided, this could affect more and more staff.
I wanted to warn others of the dangers and of the trap I
fell into of becoming reliant on my temporary pay. I made contact with the
Money Saving Expert himself, Martin Lewis, who kindly gave up his time to
discuss the issue and provided the following advice for staff:
“I call pay rises forgotten gold, we often
readjust our spending patterns pretty quickly once we’ve got them and start
cutting our cloth accordingly. If you’re given a temporary promotion and
pay rise, treat it as an added bonus not core cash – or when you go back to
your substantive rank it’ll hurt. The primary use should of course be to
overpay any debts if you’ve got them – which will have a long term knock on
gain.”
If not (hurrah) one option to avoid osmosing the money into your day to day expenditure, better to put it to a specific purpose such as “a savings pot” a “new sofa” a “holiday” so you’re not adjusting your overall habits, but still see the gain.”
If not (hurrah) one option to avoid osmosing the money into your day to day expenditure, better to put it to a specific purpose such as “a savings pot” a “new sofa” a “holiday” so you’re not adjusting your overall habits, but still see the gain.”
He then later wrote a blog on his website http://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2012/02/14/beware-acting-up-pay-rises-they-may-be-fools-gold/
As a result of my experience I decided that I would write
some guidance for officers and staff who are currently or will be undertaking a
temporary role, both nationally and within GMP. This guidance is now available
and if anyone would like a copy then please feel free to contact me.
