10th July 2014, 04:52 PM
First let me say that someone from IfA or the council would be better placed to answer this.
My understanding is that a year and a half ago someone brought up the fact that IfA can not actually force ROs to meet minimas. Something about setting up a monopoly, etc. So the Council removed the requirement for pay minima BUT it its stead it said that the Jobs Information Service (JIS) could not advertise for below minima jobs.
The code of conduct now reads-
'5.5 A member shall give due regard to the welfare of employees, colleagues and helpers in relation to the terms and conditions of service. He or she shall give reasonable consideration to any IfA recommended pay minima and conditions of employment, and should endeavour to meet or exceed the IfA recommended minimum salaries.'
You can see it is in poor taste and violates the ethical and professional standards but because of the monopoly laws (actually supposed threat, no one has been sued yet, BUT in this day and age no one wants to be sued so ...) the IfA can not kick anyone out for not paying the minima. Oxford just gets the reputation of being a less than desirable place to work. Moreover, it does not look like they have a rush of people wanting to work for them.
(This is were it gets fuzy and if someone from the IfA could clarify because I don't know all the details). There is talk that the JIS requirement has some sort of wiggle room that should be closed off at the next meeting. (again, second hand rumour repeated here and someone from IfA should know more or if I have completely heard the wrong thing, very possible).
Now before anyone goes out all IfA bashing they and David have been fighting the good fight to make sure no below minima wages get advertised. My understanding (the parties involved could confirm) is that BAJR/IfA have been standing toe to toe with firms trying to post below and making sure they can't be played off each other. Forced quite a few people to raise rates, including non-RO organisations.
Word is a firm had to raise the salaries of all their works because people weren't happy that new employees were getting paid more because of the minima. Advert limits actually seem to be having a better affect on wages than the old IfA system- though time will tell.
My understanding is that a year and a half ago someone brought up the fact that IfA can not actually force ROs to meet minimas. Something about setting up a monopoly, etc. So the Council removed the requirement for pay minima BUT it its stead it said that the Jobs Information Service (JIS) could not advertise for below minima jobs.
The code of conduct now reads-
'5.5 A member shall give due regard to the welfare of employees, colleagues and helpers in relation to the terms and conditions of service. He or she shall give reasonable consideration to any IfA recommended pay minima and conditions of employment, and should endeavour to meet or exceed the IfA recommended minimum salaries.'
You can see it is in poor taste and violates the ethical and professional standards but because of the monopoly laws (actually supposed threat, no one has been sued yet, BUT in this day and age no one wants to be sued so ...) the IfA can not kick anyone out for not paying the minima. Oxford just gets the reputation of being a less than desirable place to work. Moreover, it does not look like they have a rush of people wanting to work for them.
(This is were it gets fuzy and if someone from the IfA could clarify because I don't know all the details). There is talk that the JIS requirement has some sort of wiggle room that should be closed off at the next meeting. (again, second hand rumour repeated here and someone from IfA should know more or if I have completely heard the wrong thing, very possible).
Now before anyone goes out all IfA bashing they and David have been fighting the good fight to make sure no below minima wages get advertised. My understanding (the parties involved could confirm) is that BAJR/IfA have been standing toe to toe with firms trying to post below and making sure they can't be played off each other. Forced quite a few people to raise rates, including non-RO organisations.
Word is a firm had to raise the salaries of all their works because people weren't happy that new employees were getting paid more because of the minima. Advert limits actually seem to be having a better affect on wages than the old IfA system- though time will tell.