PUBLIC SECTOR
IDS publishes annual state-of-play for public sector, 2004
The public sector has witnessed further moves away from individual performance pay and a shift from what were forms of broadbanded pay, according to a major new report by Incomes Data Services.
The IDS research shows that a clutch of civil service departments and agencies has been trying to tackle problems associated with slow progression through long pay bands. Bands have been shortened and the link between progression and top performance markings has been removed so that all satisfactorily performing staff can get to the target rate for the job in four or five steps. Performance is now more likely to be rewarded by non-consolidated bonus payments.
"In many cases there is a return to automatic or semi-automatic progression through scales. This reverses much of the government exhortation of the past decade to introduce performance pay. In a number of cases we have seen the re-emergence of fixed pay points," says IDS.
What you will find in this report
The 251-page report, the eleventh in an annual series, offers an unrivalled resource for managers, trade unions and policy makers in the public sector, providing fascinating insights into recent pay developments, as well as valuable benchmarking data.
Written by a team of pay analysts with an impressive mastery of the subject, the study is supported by detailed research into recent government reward initiatives and an in-depth analysis of prospects for 2004.
IDS assesses the progress to date on the new Agenda for Change pay deal in the NHS and examines the recommendations of the Local Government Pay Commission. It also looks at the move to long-term deals and pay developments in the not-for-profit sector.
The report is packed with details of current pay structures of the main employee groups -- from speech therapists to probation workers and from midwives to high court judges.
Reform agenda rolls out
The government's pay "modernisation" programme is continuing to move forward across the public sector. But IDS reckons 2004 will be a "testing year" for all those negotiating change. Harmonised pay systems are coming into place in several parts of the public sector this year with common pay spines and common terms and conditions for previously separate groups of staff.
Common themes of pay modernisation in the public sector, discerned by IDS
Want to know more?
Title: Pay in the Public Services 2004, published by Incomes Data Services.
Methodology: The report is based on information compiled by IDS researchers through their regular contacts with senior managers and trade union officials in the public and "not-for-profit" sectors.
Availability: Contact customer services at IDS in London, tel: 020 7324 2599, or email: sales@incomesdata.co.uk.
For more information about this report and a contents list, jump to www.incomesdata.co.uk/report/pps.htm
Incomes Data Services is an independent research organisation providing information and analysis on pay and conditions, pensions, employment law and personnel policy and practice in the UK and the rest of Europe. Find out more at www.incomesdata.co.uk
Posted 8 March 2004