Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
Yep - I think the message here is loud and clear. It's a bump for younger staff as they'd be further down in the salary band, but will receive bonuses tagged to the mid-point of the salary band.
For those who're at the upper half of the band - and this will hurt especially for those who are near/at the ceiling - the small increase in base pay will not make up for the loss in bonus.
I read elsewhere on Salary.sg that in GovTech (which has its own salary scheme, separate from MX as it's a statutory board), the bonus for C grade is piddling, as it's meant to send a signal that you're barely doing enough. I expect the Public Service Division was inspired by this when reviewing the MX scheme - with the abolition of B+ for MX, my guess is the bonus pool for C will be reduced so that it can be diverted to bonuses for the now-enlarged pool of B.
My ministry has been briefed by HR and it's the expected platitudes - it's being sold as an overall lift for MX, and the change to the bonus structure is presented as incentivising promotions. Of course, when people asked the real questions which have straightforward answers, such as the percentage increases for each MX band (not even the dollar amounts), HR predictably fudged and said to wait till August, when the adjustment takes effect.
As someone at the higher end of the band who's been solidly stuck (over 10 years and counting now as MX11A), it's disappointing but not unexpected. The Public Service Division knows those of us in this position are essentially trapped - yes, you could throw a fit and take your chances in the private sector, but would you really, if you're in your 40s and with the market in its current state?
|
4 years ago in 2022 during the previous adjustment, I kinda predicted this coming. From what I observed back then, some ministries seemed to be experimenting along those lines already, although it has not been officially enforced or set in stone throughout - essentially quietly reducing increments and PB amounts for the C grades and redirecting the amounts to better performers. The chances of a better adjustment for the "sandwiched" job grades, usually occupied by those of ages late 30s to late 50s, will also be low.
I don't want to make it sound doom and gloom or to scare people off from the civil service. But those on top are smart enough to observe the global economy to "trim" or reduce the number of coasters. Either that, or "motivate" every individual to try to climb to be an above average or outstanding performer. Like you said, no one will dare to really rock the boat when the job market is so harsh now.
Those who are in their mid to late 50s and older got to enjoy the golden period and true iron rice bowl. For the younger ones (or even prospective ones), things are just going to get tougher.