Remuneration and performance

How are jobs evaluated? What determines salary progression, and what impact do performance reviews have? These rules shape employees’ pay and development opportunities. Whether you are dealing with a pay review round, a new pay framework or digital performance management, we work with your council to analyse existing systems, assess your employer’s proposals and develop your own goals. We clarify your council’s scope for co-determination and take account of applicable legislation, collective agreements and contractual provisions.

Designing pay structures and salary progression

We examine job requirements, pay grading, salary bands and allowances. Together with your council, we develop criteria for job evaluation, assignment to pay grades or job families, and future salary progression. During pay review rounds, we also help you develop transparent principles for distributing the available budget.

Setting rules for performance reviews, targets and bonus schemes

We work with your council to assess which performance criteria are suitable, how targets are set and how much influence employees have over achieving them. Together, we develop clear appraisal procedures, agreements on performance targets and bonus schemes that strengthen collaboration and recognise collective contributions.

We also consider the effects on workload and development opportunities, alongside procedures that allow employees to challenge assessments. Where digital systems are used, we address data protection, data analysis and performance monitoring.

Creating pay transparency and tackling discrimination

Together with your council, we analyse available pay data and examine whether equal work and work of equal value are assessed using non-discriminatory criteria. A particular focus is on gender pay differences. We take account of the requirements of the Wage Transparency Act and the General Equal Treatment Act. Together, we develop proposals for reducing unjustified differences and promoting equal pay.

Assessing system changes and safeguarding existing entitlements

When new pay or appraisal systems are proposed, we compare the existing and planned arrangements and calculate the effects on different groups of employees. We help your council safeguard existing entitlements, develop transition rules and mitigate adverse effects on employees. We also examine the underlying economic assumptions and cost implications and produce expert reports where needed.

Preparing negotiations and putting agreements into practice

We work with your council to develop a negotiating strategy, prepare supporting arguments and draft works agreements. In workshops, we help you define goals and requirements together with employees. Where needed, we support your council directly in negotiations and help review how the agreed rules are applied. We also offer training on these topics to deepen your council’s knowledge and strengthen its ability to act independently.