Incomes Data Services (IDS) is a research organisation. All our work is focused on employment-related areas and our output draws on many years of experience in this field. No other organisation can match the track record that IDS has established.

We identify subjects which those in the employment field need to know about, carefully gather the information and deliver it in digestible form. Choosing what to leave out is at least as important as deciding what to put in, as we do understand the demands made on our customers' time and attention.

How did IDS come to be set up?

The first IDS publication - IDS Pay Report - was launched in 1966 with one very simple aim: to provide accurate and timely information which could be put to practical use by all those involved in determining pay, benefits and related employment policies in Britain. The concept may seem obvious now, but then, the idea was a novelty.

Over the years that followed, more regular information services were launched by IDS to cover new areas, ranging from employment law and pensions to developments in Europe. Today Incomes Data Services publishes eight regular services - on paper and in electronic format - plus research reports on important current issues in the employment field. We also offer training, a programme of specialist conferences and a contract research service.

In September 2005 the company was acquired by Sweet & Maxwell.

Who uses IDS publications and services?

It's no accident that if you walk in to the HR department of virtually any blue chip organisation, you'll find IDS publications in use there. IDS publications and information services are used by those responsible for personnel and related issues in literally thousands of companies, voluntary associations and public sector organisations. They are also extensively used by consultancies, trade unions, lawyers and specialist advisers of many types, academics, economic commentators and others - for example the IDS Brief service on employment law goes to all members of employment tribunals.

What titles does IDS publish?

IDS produces a wide variety of publications covering:

• pay, working arrangements and general labour market issues - IDS Pay Report and IDS Pay Benchmark
• management and professional pay and recruitment - IDS Executive Compensation Review and Research Files
• HR and personnel policy and practice - IDS HR Studies
• diversity practice and law - IDS Diversity at Work
• employment law - IDS Brief, IDSBrief.co.uk, Employment Law Handbooks, and Employment Law Supplements
• pensions - Pensions Bulletin, Pensions Handbooks and Pensions Law Reports
• international HR - IDS International Guides
• online products – we offer online services which complement our paper-based titles, click here for details.