A question about Acting Higher Rank (Unpaid)

[MattBombHead]

There is a possibility I'm going to be offered Acting Rank in the next few weeks/ months.

For reasons various (which I won't go in to), I have no interest or intention of taking it.

My question is, can I turn it down? Or do I HAVE to take it...?

 

[4everAD]

There is a possibility I'm going to be offered Acting Rank in the next few weeks/ months.

For reasons various (which I won't go in to), I have no interest or intention of taking it.

My question is, can I turn it down? Or do I HAVE to take it...?

Of course you can turn it down, they'll just go to the next eligible person after you (assuming there is one).

 

[MattBombHead]

Of course you can turn it down, they'll just go to the next eligible person after you (assuming there is one).

There isn't one. Which is where things will get 'lively'.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[rocket scientist]

Just out of interest, why is it UNPAID? I had acting PAID rank a few years ago for 4 months because I was filling a vacant role due to deployment but at the same time, a colleague was acting UNPAID because he was filling a role made vacant by someone moving into an PAID acting rank. If I remember correctly, that is.

Can they make it PAID and if so would that change your mind?

 

[Dazzy26]

Yes you can turn it down as you have to sign the form to accept the acting rank prior to it being approved, at local level think that's OC BSW. Is it unpaid, or will you be getting Substitution Pay which is again sorted locally and is staffed on a different form?

 

[Barch]

Goodwill is OK but it only ever seems to be a one way street.

Tell them that responsibility costs £s.

 

[MattBombHead]

If it was paid, then yes, i would consider it. As said above, responsibility costs. The reason for the possibility of acting rank is because a manning reshuffle hasn't quite worked out as was expected, and now they need the Sgt post that was dis-established, meaning someone may need to step up.

As ever, no one thinks 'what if...?'

I'm not interested in promotion, so AHR (unpaid) as an SJAR filler holds little attraction.

 

[SAXAVORDIAN]

As Acting SGT would you get the perk of moving up or still be situated in the Jnr Ranks flow?. Unpaid may be a crutch to bare if the outcome will be proper promotion later. Or I being a civvy now am I breaching OPSECs for even enquiring, feel free to delete moderator.

 

[muttywhitedog]

If it was paid, then yes, i would consider it. As said above, responsibility costs.

I always remember in the late 90s, a whole load of SNCOs on 54(F) Sqn got redundancy, leaving several gaps across several trades. They gave Acting Unpaid rank to several Cpls, who found out the following month that not only were they not being paid, but they were presented with a Sgts' Mess bill, making them worse off!

Needless to say, the shiny rank slides were presented to the Sqn WO en masse for him to sort pay out very quickly!

 

[dctyke]

If it was paid, then yes, i would consider it. As said above, responsibility costs. The reason for the possibility of acting rank is because a manning reshuffle hasn't quite worked out as was expected, and now they need the Sgt post that was dis-established, meaning someone may need to step up.

As ever, no one thinks 'what if...?'

I'm not interested in promotion, so AHR (unpaid) as an SJAR filler holds little attraction.

Was in your trade 36yrs, are there extra auths you will need to fulfil the acting rank? If they are included you should be getting something out of it for the extra responsibility. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Turbine]

So what is the "acid test" as to whether you get acting rank paid or acting rank unpaid?

 

[Humble Scribe]

There are 2 types of acting rank. Special Paid Acting Higher Rank (SPAHR) and Local Acting Higher Rank (LAHR). SPAHR can only be authorised by Manning when there is a longer term shortfall in qualified personnel to fill a specific post. An example could be a position that required a specific qualification that nobody in the substantive rank (with the qual) wants or can be assigned into. Manning could appoint someone of a lower rank into that position who holds the qualification for a fixed tour length. They would normally be an A grade candidate with the potential to be promoted substantively during the tour. It is more routinely used on Ops when there is a shortfall at the higher rank and that individual would return to their normal rank on return from Ops. SPAHR attracts pension rights (last 2 years average pay) and will count towards increments when eventually promoted to the higher rank.

LAHR is authorised locally (CO) and is used when there is a requirement for someone in the higher rank to temporarily fill a post due to the absence of an incumbent (normally on Ops). It is authorised when there is the requirement for temporary supervisory responsibility. It is normally authorised far too frequently (IMHO) when there is no real requirement but it is a development opportunity for the SP and something to write in their SJAR. LAHR does not attract any pay or pension rights but can come with SUPA.

Hope that clarifies the different types just a little?

 

[MattBombHead]

There are 2 types of acting rank. Special Paid Acting Higher Rank (SPAHR) and Local Acting Higher Rank (LAHR). SPAHR can only be authorised by Manning when there is a longer term shortfall in qualified personnel to fill a specific post. An example could be a position that required a specific qualification that nobody in the substantive rank (with the qual) wants or can be assigned into. Manning could appoint someone of a lower rank into that position who holds the qualification for a fixed tour length. They would normally be an A grade candidate with the potential to be promoted substantively during the tour. It is more routinely used on Ops when there is a shortfall at the higher rank and that individual would return to their normal rank on return from Ops. SPAHR attracts pension rights (last 2 years average pay) and will count towards increments when eventually promoted to the higher rank.

LAHR is authorised locally (CO) and is used when there is a requirement for someone in the higher rank to temporarily fill a post due to the absence of an incumbent (normally on Ops). It is authorised when there is the requirement for temporary supervisory responsibility. It is normally authorised far to frequently (IMHO) when there is no real requirement but it is a development opportunity for the SP and something to write in their SJAR. LAHR does not attract any pay or pension rights but can come with SUPA.

Hope that clarifies the different types just a little?

It does, thank you.

 

[Cooheed]

Acting paid in my time was for people who had been selected by the PSB and waiting for J/I/AMLC to make them substantive.

 

[Humble Scribe]

Acting paid in my time was for people who had been selected by the PSB and waiting for J/I/AMLC to make them substantive.

That does still happen but it is but the substantive rank is retrospectively awarded once the relevant CMT courses are completed. So whilst you are acting paid in effect, it will eventually count as your substantive rank.