The IRS headline measure of pay settlements stands at 0% in the three months to 31 January 2010.

The recession has had a severe impact on UK managers' pay packets, with executive pay showing its lowest rate of growth in at least a decade, according to the latest pay benchmarking research from XpertHR salary surveys.

A private music festival, an indoor golf course, personal financial advice, doughnut days, discount schemes and parenting classes are just some of the rewards being offered by forward-thinking, cost-conscious employers to keep their workers happy. 

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a voluntary scheme for reporting on gender pay gaps in the private sector - something that very few firms currently do. But many HR professionals feel that transparency itself will do little to tackle the deep-rooted causes of gender pay inequality. 

Reward specialists at IRS present their twice-monthly settlement summary table, together with detailed reports of recent pay reviews.

The Court of Appeal has held that an employment tribunal was wrong to find that a pay differential between male street cleaners and female carers, which had been caused by a productivity bonus given to the cleaners that was not appropriate for the carers due to the nature of the work, was not tainted by sex.

The political consensus on pensions policy appears to be breaking down ahead of the forthcoming general election. Occupational Pensions looks at where the three main parties stand and at what may change if there is a government of a different hue.

Some may question whether or not financial literacy training is an employer's concern. However, research highlights the issues that financial problems can cause at work. 

Additions to the FAQs section cover the right to time off for trade union duties and activities.

The Financial Assistance Scheme has undergone a series of legislative changes during 2008 and 2009, bringing higher levels of assistance to more people who lost out due to scheme wind-ups before the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) was established.

The Department for Work and Pensions has published guidance on the new system of "fit notes", which will be introduced on 6 April 2010 to replace the current forms used by GPs for medical certification. Doctors will be able to indicate if an employee may be fit for work with some support. Separate guidance is available for employers and for GPs.

The Equality Bill is now completing its way through Parliament. It will have far-reaching consequences and will require all employers to review their personnel policies. Butterworths is offering XpertHR subscribers a £50 discount on its Equality Bill conference on 15 April. 

Reward specialists at IRS present their twice-monthly settlement summary table, together with detailed reports of recent pay reviews. 

The XpertHR policies and documents section has been enhanced by the addition of a model policy on piece working, a piece worker agreement and an agreement on time off for trade union duties and activities. 

Additions to the FAQs section cover the law relating to overtime. 

IRS research into paternity leave finds that, although half the organisations enhance paternity leave beyond the statutory minimum, partners are still reluctant to take paternity leave, especially if the enhanced wage falls short of full pay. 

Reward specialists at IRS present their twice-monthly settlement summary table, together with detailed reports of recent pay reviews. 

The worsening economic situation put pressure on the public sector in 2009, with the Government imposing restraint and settlement levels under scrutiny from all sides. This feature looks at some of the main deals struck in the 2009 pay round, and at what might lie in store this year.

The first snapshot survey from Personnel Today's new HR Opinion Panel provides an exclusive insight into the views of HR professionals, decision-makers and influencers. The first subject examines childcare vouchers and benefits.

The National Association of Pension Funds has published its 35th annual survey, which provides a reliable indication of how pension schemes evolved in the previous 12 months and how they are intending to change in the coming year.

The Government has published draft Regulations that will allow qualifying employees to benefit from up to 26 weeks' additional paternity leave and receive additional paternity pay at the same rate as statutory maternity pay.

Reward specialists at IRS present their twice-monthly settlement summary table, together with detailed reports of recent pay reviews. 

A rise in national insurance, a tax on banker's bonuses and proposals to limit public sector pay rises are just three of the announcements in the Chancellor's 2009 Pre-Budget Report covered in our in-depth feature. 

Pressure is building to give workers paid leave to care for sick and infirm relatives but how long should it last and who should foot the bill? 

Following the Court of Appeal decision in Wilson v Health and Safety Executive, employers must be prepared to justify any pay system that rewards length of service, where the employee can show at an initial stage that the application of the system in her case might not be justified. Employment Law Bulletin consultant editor Darren Newman explains why it has taken the UK courts so long to arrive at this conclusion. 

The Office for National Statistics has published its third annual occupational pension schemes survey. This shows a more settled picture for occupational schemes in 2008 compared with previous years, with a small increase in the active membership of schemes. However, the average contribution rate was lower in 2008 than in 2007.