Forward to a colleague View as a webpage Add us to your white list Quick Links »   Surveys   Pay deals   Reward priorities   News and views   Statistics and reference   Blogs Take part in XpertHR research Pay forecast survey XpertHR is conducting a unique pay forecasting survey to gauge private sector employers' pay intentions over the coming year, and would like to request your assistance. Respondents to this short survey will receive a free copy of the findings, as well as a copy of our latest major research into pay prospects for 2012 on completion. Maternity and paternity leave How much does maternity leave really cost employers? Take part in our brief survey on maternity and paternity leave and you will be entitled to a complimentary copy of our findings as soon as our research has been completed. Top Pay deals Long-term pay deals 2012: the long-term premium Long-term pay agreements can provide wage stability for both employers and employees, but the attraction may be diminished in times of economic uncertainty. We look at the format of long-term pay awards. Top Reward priorities Reward priorities in 2012: the XpertHR survey Our survey of HR departments reveals that reward practitioners have another busy year ahead of them, with many continuing to review pay and benefits packages with a view to saving costs. Top News and views from XpertHR › XpertHR economic commentary February 2012: Squeezed incomes › Government publishes revised timetable for pensions auto-enrolment › Defeat for unions in CPI pensions challenge at High Court › Government sets out decision on NHS pension contribution rates › Progress report on National Employment Savings Trust › BIS confirms that the increase in parental leave will be postponed › Cable announces plans for action on executive pay Top Statistics and reference › XpertHR pay trends homepage › Pay review update › Economic indicators Top From our blogs › Refer-a-friend recruitment pays dividends › Public service pension reforms "unlikely to save money" › Police officer pay and pensions changes confirmed › National minimum wage: "a machine to destroy jobs"? › "Underwhelming" proposals on curbing executive pay Top Editor's message LONG-TERM PAY DEALS The number of long-term pay awards fell during the recession as employers were unwilling to gamble on how their company and the economy would be performing one or two years down the line. However, our analysis of long-term pay awards reveals that there are numerous ways for employers to "future proof" such deals, including using underpins, caps and re-opener clauses. Our research also reveals evidence of a "long-term premium", with the first stage of long-term deals often delivering above-trend pay rises. Over 2011, the first stage of long-term deals in the private sector delivered a median 3% pay rise, compared with a median 2.3% among all deals in the private sector over the same period. Outside of negotiating the annual pay increase, reward professionals have a busy year ahead of them. Our survey of HR priorities looks in detail at the work of the reward department over the coming year. It reveals that key activities include reviewing benefits packages, grading structures and salary benchmarking. Finally, please complete our pay forecast survey which looks at anticipated pay settlements during 2012. The results will be published at the end of March 2012. Sheila Attwood Pay and benefits editor, XpertHR Pay Intelligence blog Perspectives on the changing world of pay, including news, commentary and analysis on pay issues, law, employee relations, recruitment, retention, reward and work organisation. Get more out of XpertHR › Model policies › Good practice guides › Line manager briefings › Salary surveys Tools for subscribers › My XpertHR › User guide › Advanced search › XpertHR feeds Customer services › Password reminder › Email the helpdesk or call 0845 671 1110 › Read previous newsletters Forward to a colleague xperthr.co.uk This email has been sent to luke.smith@rbi.co.uk Unsubscribe from future pay and benefits emails. Disclaimer This message is intended only for the use of the person(s) ("Intended Recipient") to whom it is addressed. It may contain information, which is privileged and confidential. Accordingly any dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of this message or any of its content by any person other than the Intended Recipient may constitute a breach of civil or criminal law and is strictly prohibited. If you are not the Intended Recipient, please contact the sender as soon as possible. © Reed Business Information Ltd +44 (0)20 8652 3500 | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy Registered Office: Reed Business, Quadrant House, 9th Floor, The Quadrant, Sutton, SM2 5AS. Registered in England & Wales: 151537