Pay modelling

Jigsaw has four consultants with extensive experience of Pay modelling: Allan Cole, Colin Elwood, Hadley Hunter and Barry Stoker. Jigsaw consultants have developed pay models for over 30 government departments and agencies since 1977.

Reward management system

Jigsaw was asked by a central government department to review their reward management system. Allan Cole established management’s requirements and showed it would be difficult to modify the existing system to meet those requirements. He developed a new structure aligning the reward system with management's objectives and a transition policy for moving staff to the new pay system.

A computer model of the proposed system was developed and used to explore how changing the amount going into each element of the award and the progression parameters affects the settlement cost. An iterative approach allowed management to select the option best meeting their requirements.

Management entered into negotiations with the trade union, using the computer model to cost union proposals. The union accepted that the management proposal best met their members' needs within HM Treasury guidance.

The new system offered the following advantages:

• Management controlled the settlement cost and distribution of new money
• Staff had improved pay progression
• The system is fair, equitable and consistent in rewarding staff
• It should have a positive impact on staff morale
• It compares favourably with other reward systems