Staff 'upset' by job evaluations

The council said most staff would see their pay increase

Job evaluations have caused "upset and concern" for some Highland Council staff, one of the local authority's chiefs has said.

Assistant chief executive Michelle Morris said clerical and administrative workers were the group worst affected by worries over the process.

The council said 88% of its workforce would see their pay increase.

But unions - including Unison - said lower paid female staff were losing out.

This is the start of the process, it is not the end of the process Michelle Morris Assistant chief executive

Ms Morris said the local authority was seeking to work closely with the unions.

She said: "Clerical and admin staff are a group that is going to be unfortunately badly affected by this project.

"This is the start of the process, it is not the end of the process."

The assistant chief executive said that it was natural that some were concerned.

She added: "We've got to work with the trade unions on this. They knew fully well that this group of staff were going to be impacted.

"I think they are keen now to mitigate and reduce the impact it is going to have."

The council has set up a helpline for staff worried about the process.

Unison said it plans to take legal action against Highland Council over its new equal pay scheme.

The union said many lower paid women workers have had their pay cut under the evaluation process.