The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is recommending a 2.25 per cent increase in grounds staff’s national minimum salary bands for 2016. The rise not only reflects the steady growth of the UK economy and the expected increase in inflation but will also, says the IOG:

• Assist grounds staff in managing the rising cost of living
• Ensure all staff are paid a living wage
• Align pay increase with overall market trends
• Maintain an affordable pay structure for all grounds staff, and
• Continue to invest in the development and training of young grounds staff.

Based on independent industry-wide research, the IOG also suggests an extension of 2 per cent to each pay band, to allow for additional professional development and career progression.

The research – a key IOG membership benefit, which is also available to non-members - was carried out independently by Myriad Research using a number of data sources for analysis.

The recommended national basic salary bands for 2016 are:

• Grounds manager £33,227-£48,061
• Heads groundsperson £28,338-£37,021
• Deputy head groundsperson/sole charge £23,184-£28,441
• Groundsperson (skilled) £21,681-£26,585
• Groundsperson £17,371-£21,299
• Junior groundsperson (Age 17) £14,769
• Junior groundsperson (Age 16) £12,265 

The bands reflect minimum recommended basic salary payment and are based on a 37.5 hour week. Bonuses, overtime and subsistence payments have not been included and are therefore additional.

The IOG also recommends that employers ensure they meet their obligations in terms of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and ensure fair payment for overtime worked – by agreement about the balance between overtime pay, time off in lieu or flexible working.

Regional pay allowances continue to be incorporated into the salary bands and the IOG recommends that higher cost areas of the country should make salary awards at the upper levels of the bands. Regional differences are:

• Inner London £3,579
• Outer London £2,137
• Fringe areas £639-£1,283.

It is expected that the recommended minimum pay rate for a groundsperson in London should be £18,400.

In addition, £500 per annum should be paid to those in junior groundsperson and groundsperson bands for the successful completion of IOG qualifications such as NVQ Levels 1 and 2, and those with First Aid or Spraying certificates should also be recognised with additional remuneration.

This, says the IOG, would encourage professional accreditation early in a person’s career, support personal development and is a cost-effective way of boosting employee engagement.

To accompany its recommendations, the IOG publishes generic position descriptions to reflect typical job responsibilities and experience required for each level of position, against which employers can evaluate varying responsibilities and circumstances.

Such variables will include:

• The number of sports being played
• The level of sport
• Intensity of use
• Total acreage managed
• Problem solving and decision making capability
• Staffing levels
• Budgetary responsibilities
• Qualifications required.

Non IOG members can obtain copies of the survey, costing £95, via the IOG, 28 Stratford Office Village, Walker Avenue, Wolverton Mill East, Milton Keynes MK12 5TW. Tel: 01908 312511.