In October 2008 we sent the first batch of 20,000 individual letters to staff. We would like to thank all managers and headteachers for the time and trouble you took to answer questions and support your teams. We know from feedback that staff greatly appreciated this.

The October letters told those who were employed in June 2008 the outcome of the job evaluation process for the post held at this time.

Some staff didn't receive a letter in October, for example new staff who joined the County Council or those who changed jobs after 30 June 2008. However, you as managers and headteachers were requested to let new staff know the outcomes of the job evaluation process.

We would now like to ask for your support again with the next stage of the process.

A further 3,000 letters will be sent during week commencing 23 February 2009. These will confirm the proposed grade and basic salary for new staff who have been employed between July and October 2008 and those who have moved job within the County Council during this time.

Staff who fall into this category who are on the corporate email system will receive an email later this week informing them that they will be receiving a letter and giving them further details. We will be relying on you to get the message to others who do not have access to this system.

Actions for you as managers:

1.

If you haven't informed staff who have joined your team since July 2008 of the proposed grade for their job please set up some meetings to ensure they know how MRS may affect them. If you yourself are a new manager or headteacher you can go to www.norfolk.gov.uk/mrs to find answers to your questions. Please log any unanswered questions with the MRS team via the online question form.

2.

Inform anyone who joined your team between July and October 2008 that letters confirming their proposed grade will be sent during week commencing 23 February 2009. It is especially important that all headteachers and managers in Adult Social Services do this as many of your staff will not have access to the corporate email system. We will be relying on you to get the message to these groups of staff.

To support you in the delivery of this message
Here is some further information that you may require…

	to keep these letters consistent with those we sent in October 2008 the salary quoted will not include the 2008 pay award (paid in December)
	as most staff will have received an information pack detailing the changes to pay and terms and conditions, we will only send information packs to those who have not yet received one. Details about the proposal and lots of FAQs can also be found at www.norfolk.gov.uk/mrs
	letters will be sent to home addresses by first class post.

What about new staff and those who have moved job within the County Council since November?
Letters, confirming the proposed grade and basic salary for new staff who have been employed between November 2008 and January 2009 and those who have moved job within the County Council during this time, will be the next batch to be sent. These letters will be sent week commencing 27 April 2009.

What about letters confirming the grades for posts previously held, for example between April 2007 and June 2008?
Letters confirming the proposed grade and basic salary for previous posts held between April 2007 and June 2008 will be sent week commencing 27 April 2009.

Further information…
If you have any questions or need clarification on any issues refer to your copy of the information pack or go to www.norfolk.gov.uk/mrs. Alternatively sections 4,5,6 and 7 of the support pack for managers and headteachers may be helpful. To view this please click here.

A help desk run by HR staff will be set up when letters are sent and will run until 06 March 2009. It will be open from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
The number(s) to call are:

for employees with surnames starting with A - F	01603 638303
for employees with surnames starting with G - O	01603 228844
for employees with surnames starting with P - Z	01603 495850

As ever, your ongoing help and support towards the successful implementation of this important initiative is much appreciated.