Guides
Longer articles on UK public sector pay, leave and career topics. Each guide links to free role calculators so you can try illustrative figures for your job.
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These guides explain how national frameworks work: Agenda for Change, teachers' pay, NJC, Civil Service remit, FTE and leave. They are for planning and awareness, not payroll or legal advice. Always confirm with your employer, contract or union.
All guides
NHS Agenda for Change pay progression explained
How AfC bands, spine points and national progression standards work for NHS staff in England, with links to role calculators.
Teachers' pay spine, TLR and what affects your salary
Main and Upper Pay Ranges, TLR payments, SEN allowances and how school pay differs for teachers and support staff.
Part-time working in the public sector: FTE, pay and leave
How full-time equivalent (FTE) affects salary, allowances, annual leave and pension in UK public sector roles.
NJC local government pay and spinal column points
How NJC Green Book pay spines, increments and local supplements work for council and local government staff.
Civil Service pay grades and pay remit explained
EO, HEO, SEO and Grade 7 pay ranges, spine progression and how annual pay remit affects civil servants.
Take-home pay in the public sector (2026/27)
How income tax, National Insurance and pension contributions affect net pay for public sector workers in 2026/27.
Occupational sick pay in the public sector
Contractual sick pay, full pay and half pay periods, and how they relate to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
Maternity and paternity pay in the public sector
Enhanced occupational maternity and paternity pay on top of statutory entitlements for NHS, schools, councils and Civil Service.
Annual leave entitlement in the public sector
How annual leave days and hours are set for NHS, NJC, Civil Service and school support staff, including part-time pro-rata.
Promotion timing: comparing pay paths in the public sector
Why when you promote affects lifetime earnings, and how to use promotion timing calculators responsibly.
Allowances: HCAS, TLR and public sector enhancements
London weighting, NHS HCAS, school TLR, unsocial hours and how allowances stack on basic pay.
Career breaks, parental leave and returning to work
Illustrative lost earnings, re-entry pay and how career breaks differ from paid parental leave.