Workplace Report November 2000

Features: Pay deals

Ten days' paid paternity leave at ACAS

Staff at the ACAS conciliation and arbitration service received average pay rises of 3.9% of basic salaries from 1 August. The rises were calculated as cash sums equal to 3.3% of grade maxima and were worth between £380 and £1,723 depending on grade. Bonuses equivalent to 0.5% of average basic salaries (non-consolidated, and non-pensionable) were also due and both parts of the award applied to all staff except those with an "unsatisfactory" performance mark ("box 4").

The London allowance rose to £3,800 at the "upper level" (highest two grades) and £3,325 (other grades). Paid paternity leave increased from five to 10 days; paid maternity leave increased from 16 to 18 weeks; and paid adoption leave doubled from 20 to 40 days.