Invest NI - Voluntary Exit Scheme

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

***Please note that more detailed information concerning the terms of the Voluntary Exit Scheme, application, selection and exit processes are set out in the Scheme Information Booklet. These documents are available on the VES Intranet page.

CONTENTS

SECTION ONE – SCHEME LAUNCH AND ELIGIBILITY

  1. Why is a Scheme needed?
  2. How will the Scheme be funded?
  3. When will the Scheme launch and close?
  4. Will the Scheme run over a number of years?
  5. Who is eligible to apply for the Scheme?
  6. Who cannot apply under the Scheme?
  7. I work part-time, compressed hours, reduced hours or am partially retired. Can I apply for the Scheme?
  8. Does the Scheme apply to staff over retirement age?
  9. I am in my probationary period. Can I apply?
  10. I have less than two years’ reckonable service. Can I apply?
  11. I am not a member of the Civil Servicepension scheme, or any pension scheme. Can I apply?
  12. Can I apply for the Scheme if I am on sickness absence? If so, must I return to work first?
  13. Can staff on career break, or about to start a career break, apply?
  14. Can Invest NI staff on secondment, paid or unpaid leave of any kinds, or on temporary transfer/loan or detached duty apply?
  15. How will staff who are on long term leave or without access to work emails be kept informed?

SECTION TWO – BACKGROUND

  1. HasInvest NI taken any other measures to reduce its paybill?
  2. Would leavers generate the same savings?
  3. How many staff will be released under the Scheme?
  4. Has Trade Union Side been consulted?

SECTION THREE – SCHEME PROCESSES, LAUNCH, APPLICATION, SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION

  1. How will I be notified of the terms of the Scheme?
  2. I do not have access to a work email address. How will I apply for the Scheme?
  3. What happens if I do not have access to a work or personal email address?
  4. I think I am eligible to apply but didn’t receive an email. What should I do?
  5. How can I apply to leave under the Scheme?
  6. How will I know how much compensation I would be entitled to?
  7. Will I receive a quote of how much my compensation payment would be?
  8. What date are quotes based on?
  9. How will applicants be selected to leave?
  10. If I am chosen, when will I leave?
  11. When will I know if I have been selected to leave?
  12. What will happen to applicants who are not selected?
  13. I have received the notification ‘not selected’. Does this mean I will not be offered early exit under the Scheme?
  14. If I am selected to leave with an exit date, what should I do?
  15. If I accept the offer, am I then committed to leave?
  16. How and when will I receive my quote from Civil Service Pensions?
  17. What information will be provided in my quote issued by Civil Service Pensions, if I am selected to leave?
  18. I am due to be out of the office when the notifications are being issued. What should I do?
  19. I will be away from home when the quotes are due to arrive and/or during the ten day acceptance period. What should I do?
  20. I have received my quote from Civil Service Pensions and it was different from what I was expecting. What should I do?
  21. What date will my actual compensation payment be based on?
  22. Can my compensation amount change from the amount in my quote and the actual

amount I receive?

  1. If I am selected to leave under the Scheme, when will I receive my compensation payment?
  2. If my pay increases in August 2016, how will this affect my compensation payment?
  3. If I leave Invest NI before any pay award for 2016 has been implemented and I am due an increase in salary, will I be paid arrears of compensation?
  4. Will everyone who is selected leave at the same time?
  5. How much notice will I be given if I am selected to leave under the Scheme?
  6. Is there any flexibility with the specified last day of service?
  7. Can I change my mind once I apply?
  8. What is my leave entitlement if I am selected to exit under the Scheme?
  9. What action do I need to take in respect of annual leave, either as an applicant or as the line manager of an applicant?
  10. If I am selected to leave under the Scheme while on Maternity Leave, what will the impact be on any maternity pay I have received?
  11. I plan to notify Invest NI of my intention to retire. What impact will this have on my selection and/or exit?
  12. I am due to leave under the Scheme and am currently making repayments such as an overpayment recovery through payroll. How will these repayments be managed?
  13. I am part of the Taxsmart Scheme. What action should I take before I leave under the Scheme?
  14. I am part of the Cycle to Work Scheme. What action should I take before I leave under the Scheme?

SECTION FOUR – COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS-RELATED

  1. What figure is used to calculate the compensation payment?
  2. Will the deemed minimum apply for calculating compensation payments for staff earning less than that amount?
  3. Will the deemed maximum salary level be used?
  4. How are compensation payments for part-time staff calculated?
  5. How does partial retirement affect compensation payments?
  6. I am currently on temporary promotion. Will my higher salary be taken into account?
  7. Why is compensation limited to 6 months’ pay for staff over normal scheme pension age?
  8. Will there be any restriction on payments to staff close to the normal scheme pension age?
  9. Does the period for which compensation is paid count towards the period for which Civil Service pensions is calculated?
  10. I previously worked for an employer that was covered by the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (NI). Through a machinery of government movement, my employment was bulk transferred into the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (NI). What compensation am I entitled to?
  11. Does the 5% actuarial reduction for each year you are under your scheme pension age apply when you leave under voluntary exit?
  12. Can I also take my pension benefits at the same time if I am selected to leave?
  13. Will my employer top up any shortfall for buying out the pension reduction?
  14. Will my compensation payment be taxed?
  15. Can I use my compensation payment to buy years of service?
  16. Can I use my Compensation payment to buy out the Actuarial Reduction on my pension?
  17. Will my pension lump sum be affected by any lump sum I get through the Scheme?
  18. What will happen to my pension when I leave under the Scheme?
  19. I am not a member of the Civil Service Pension Scheme. What does this mean in terms of what I am entitled to?
  20. If I am moving to the new Alpha scheme will this affect the amount of compensation payable?
  21. How will the Scheme affect my pension regarding the new Alpha pension scheme?
  22. What are the terms of the new Civil Service Compensation Scheme (Northern Ireland)?

SECTION FIVE – GENERAL

  1. How will the potential impact on service delivery of staff leaving in such a short period be managed?
  2. If my post was to be absorbed, I may be interested in the Scheme. Will I know this information before I decide to apply?
  3. Will a compensation payment affect my Student Loan repayments?
  4. Will a compensation payment affect the social security or tax-related benefits I am currently receiving or that I would be entitled to if I leave under the Scheme?
  5. Where can I get additional financial information?
  6. Will I have to repay my compensation payment if I join an employer covered by the Northern Ireland Civil Service Compensation Scheme?
  7. I currently work for two employers covered by the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (NI); can I apply for Voluntary Exit from one?

SECTION SIX – AFTER SELECTION IS COMPLETED

  1. Can I appeal against not being selected?
  2. What information relating to the Scheme, for example the number of applicants by grade or relating to those selected, will you release and when?
  3. How can I obtain my ‘value for money’ score?
  4. I was not selected for the Scheme, which has now closed. I still want to leave, what options do I have and how will these impact on my pension?
  5. I was not selected for the Scheme, but I would like to change my work-life balance. What options do I have?
  6. I was not selected and the scheme has now closed. What other options are available to me now and what impact might alternative working patterns have on my pension?
  7. Will there be another Scheme in 2017/18?

SECTION ONE - SCHEME LAUNCH AND ELIGIBILITY

1. Why is a Scheme needed?

The Northern Ireland Executive has asked the Department of Finance and Personnel to bring forward a range of proposals for strategic personnel interventions to effect a paybill reduction, including a Voluntary Exit Scheme (‘the Scheme’). The Scheme is necessary to primarily address the ongoing significant budgetary pressures facing Invest NI.

This Scheme is only one of a range of measures being implemented to deliver the required paybill reduction across government bodies, and Invest NI will play its part in contributing to those reductions in the overall public sector. Our decision to introduce a Voluntary Exit Scheme mirrors programmes run at our parent and sister departments and agencies.

2. How will the Scheme be funded?

The Scheme will be funded through the facility provided by the Stormont House Agreement, which gave the Northern Ireland Executive access of up to £700m over four years to fund early exit schemes across the public sector in Northern Ireland. £200m is available in each of the first three years and £100m in the fourth year. Invest NI has bid for resources from year two - the 2016/2017 financial year.

3. When will the Scheme launch and close?

The Scheme will be launched on 6th June 2016 and will be closed for applications on 24th June 2016 at 10.00am.

4. Will the Invest NI Scheme run over a number of years?

The Invest NI Scheme will operate in the 2016/2017 financial year, and it is anticipated that staff selected to leave under the Scheme will have left before 31stMarch 2017 at the latest, provided sufficient funds are available to pay compensation costs.There are currently no plans for further schemes in subsequent years.

5. Who is eligible to apply for the Invest NI Scheme?

All permanent Invest NI employees Grade 3 and belowwill be eligible to apply.

Exceptions are set out in Q 6. Eligibility criteria are set out below.

  1. Staff who, at 6th June 2016, are permanent Invest NI employees, whether full-time or part-time and regardless of length of service, except for staff who by the 6th June 2016 have been informed by Invest NI that, for business reasons, they cannot be released under the terms of the Scheme;
  1. Industrial staff and non-industrial staff.
  1. Members and non-members of the Civil Service Pension Schemes.
  1. Invest NI staff on secondment, on temporary transfer/on loan or detached duty are eligible to apply.
  1. Invest NI staff that are on career break, sick absence, maternity leave, unpaid or paid special leave or annual leave, will be eligible to apply.
  1. Those staff who, by 6th June 2016, have agreed a career break date to commence within the 2016/2017 financial year, are eligible to apply.
  1. Staff who have been, as at6th June 2016, notified of a dismissal date for disciplinary reasons or procedures under the Management of Attendance Policy or notified that Invest NI has accepted an OHS recommendation to retire them on ill health grounds, and any appeal process has been completed, will be ineligible to apply for the Scheme. However, where an individual intends to avail of any entitlement to appeal, they may apply, but a decision on their selection under the scheme will not be taken until the appeal process is completed.
  1. Staff who have been formally notified that a disciplinary investigation orprocedures under the Management of Attendance Policy have commenced, or who become subject to such action which could potentially lead to dismissal before the Scheme Selection Panel/s meet /s to select those to leave under the Scheme, or who are being considered for ill health retirement, are eligible to apply. However, a decision on selection under the Scheme will not be taken until the relevant procedures have been concluded, including all appeal stages. If necessary, the selection panel/s will reconvene to consider such cases, provided that a requirement to release staff remains and funding is still available.
  1. Staff who are formally notified that they have become subject to a disciplinary investigation or procedures under the Management of Attendance Policy (which could potentially lead to dismissal) between the date of selection for release under the Scheme and their leaving date, will have their application put on hold until the investigation or procedures have been concluded, including all appeal stages. If necessary, the Scheme Selection Panel/s will reconvene at an appropriate time to consider such releases under the Scheme.

6. Who cannot apply under the Scheme?

Ineligible groups include:

  1. Casual and fixed term staff, locally-engaged staff, and those seconded in to Invest NI.
  1. Staff who already have, by6th June 2016, an agreed exit date due to resignation or ill-health retirement, voluntary exit under another Exit Scheme after 6th June 2016, or who have been given a dismissal date following a disciplinary investigation or procedures under the Management of Attendance Policy, and any appeals process is complete.
  1. Staff who have notified Invest NI by 6th June 2016 of their intention to retire.

7. I work part-time, compressed hours, reduced hours or am partially retired. Can I apply for the Scheme?

Yes, you can apply for the Scheme in the normal way.

8. Does the Scheme apply to staff over retirement age?

Yes. The Scheme applies to staff regardless of age. However, compensation for those over their normal scheme pension age will be limited to a maximum of six months’ pay.

9. I am in my probationary period. Can I apply?

Yes. You are eligible to apply.

10. I have less than two years’ reckonable service. Can I apply?

Yes. The Scheme is open to eligible permanent Invest NI staff at Grade 3 and below regardless of length of service.

11. I am not a member of the Civil Servicepension scheme or any pension scheme. Am I eligible to apply?

Yes. You should consult the Invest NI Voluntary Exit Scheme Information Booklet for further information.

12. Can I apply for the Scheme if I am on sickness absence? If so, must I return to work first?

Staff on sickness absence can apply without first having to return to work. However, Voluntary Exit arrangements do not apply if you have, at the Scheme launch date, been granted retirement on medical grounds, or if you have been given a date for dismissal due to procedures under the Management of Attendance Policy. See also Answer 5 bullets vii to ix.

13. Can staff on career break or about to start a career break apply?

Yes, staff on career break, or those staff who by 6th June 2016 have agreed a career break date due to commence within the 2016/2017 financial year, are eligible to apply.

14. Can Invest NI staff on secondment, paid or unpaid leave of any kind, or on temporary transfer/loan or detached duty apply?

Yes, these groups of staff are eligible to apply.

15. How will staff who are on long term leave of any sort or without access to work emails be kept informed?

An online application system will be used to administer the Scheme. Staff will be asked to provide alternative contact email addresses to access the application system online. HR will provide information to staff who do not have internet access or who chose not to provide an email address.

SECTION TWO - BACKGROUND

16.Has Invest NI taken any other measures to reduce its paybill?

Invest NI has undertaken a range of actions before launching a voluntary exit scheme. These have included the suppression of vacancies, the suspension of all volume recruitment and substantive promotion competitions. However, these interventions alone will not generate the paybill savings required.

17. Would leavers generate the same savings?

Despite staff leaving the organisation, and even alongside the other strategic personnel interventions in place, this would not be enough to generate the paybill savings required by Invest NI in the 2016/2017 period.

18. How many staff will be released under the Scheme?

Invest NI expects to release aroundfifteenposts under this Scheme in the 2016/17 financial year. This may equate to a higher number of staff leaving, taking into account part time working. However the numbers released under the scheme will be constrained by the number of applicants, the budget available to fund compensation payments and the need to manage the exercise in such a way that will maintain essential business continuity of our operations.

19. Has Trade Union Side been consulted?

Yes. Central Trade Union Side has been consulted on the terms of the Scheme.

SECTION THREE - SCHEME PROCESSES, LAUNCH, APPLICATION, SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION

20. How will I be notified of the terms of the Scheme?

All relevant information relating to the Scheme, including the Scheme Information Booklet, these FAQs, links to the online calculator and further information provided by Civil Service Pensions are available on the designated section of Invest NI’s intranet.

On the launch date of the scheme (6th June 2016) all eligible staff will receive an email which will give them access to formally apply to the Scheme.

21. I do not have access to a work email address. How will I apply for the Scheme?

Where staff do not have a work email address or will be unable to access it, because, for example they are on long term absence from work, alternative email addresses will be sought byHR in advance of the Scheme launch date. As the Scheme is managed online, wherever possible it would be in your interests to provide HR with an alternative email address if you have not already done so.

22. What happens if I do not have access to a work or personal email address?

In these cases, HR will contact you to provide all the necessary information. You will be expected to find a way to access the online calculators yourself, and the online system will be used to administer the Scheme at all stages.