Salary Guide

The Institute of Groundsmanship has adjusted its salary recommendations to reflect pay movement in both the Public and Private sectors.Salary bands indicate the minimum recommended annual basic salary payment with effect from 1^st January 2012.

The 3% band uplift for 2012 is based on extensive research of both Private and Public sectors. The outlook for pay settlements is directly linked to the UK’s economic prospects. The economy is predicted to slowly recover from recession and inflation is expected to return in 2012.

To accompany the Recommended Salary Bands the Institute publishes a set of Position Descriptions which reflect the typical job responsibilities and experience required for each level of position.It is not possible to have single position descriptions that would effectively encompass all individual situations. “Standard” position descriptions are provided by the Institute, against which employers can evaluate the varying responsibilities and circumstances that are to be found in individual positions.

Such variables will include:-

• the number of sports being played
• the level of sport
• intensity of use
• total acreage managed
• job holders problem solving and decision making capability
• staffing levels
• budgetary responsibilities
• qualifications required

The salary bands relate to the standard position descriptions. Positioning within the salary band should therefore take into account the above factors and any significant variances in job content.

Each salary band has a minimum and maximum figure representing a 10% spread either side of the mid point for all positions. The exception to this is the Head Groundsman and Grounds Manager positions, which respectively have a 13% and 18%, spread either side of the mid-point. These higher % spreads reflect the responsibility level and market demand typically found with these position titles.

The IOG recommends that competent and effective job performers whose job content relates closely to the standard position description should be paid at the mid point and upper levels of the bands.

• The above bands reflect minimum recommended basic salary payment with effect from 1^st January 2012 and are based upon a 37.5 hour week.
• Bonuses, overtime and subsistence payments have not been included in the salary bands and are therefore additional.
• The benefit value of any accommodation provided has not been included and should be negotiated separately.
• Regional pay variations have been taken into account within the bands. Higher cost areas of the country would expect to make salary awards at the upper levels of the appropriate band. Our research indicates regional pay in London Inner (0-6miles of Charing Cross) £3,900 pa, London Outer (7-16miles) £2,090 pa, London Fringe (17-22 miles) £1,255 pa, South East £625 pa to £1255 pa. Other UK regions are broadly similar in their pay levels.
• It is recommended that Junior Groundsman, Groundsman and Skilled Groundsman receive financial recognition within the salary bands of £300 pa for successful completion of each relevant professional qualifications e.g. Work Based or QCF Qualifications.
• Employees with other relevant qualifications such as a First Aid or Spraying certificate should be recognised with additional remuneration.
• It should be noted that these are recommended salary bands and individual negotiations must be conducted between an employer and employee. Individual employee merit increases in addition to the recommended IOG annual salary band adjustment are determined at the local level. The majority of employers award salary progression in the light of individual performance and/or the demonstration of employee job competencies.