Category: Benefits and Compensation

This topic provides guidance on how to handle compensation issues in a way that attracts and retains the best talent and advances the strategic goals of your business. You get news and tips on what’s going on nationally and in the states, and updates on changes in regulations, possible governmental action, and emerging compensation trends.

EBSA: Deficient Work Tied to Auditors’ Size, Experience

Hiring an auditor with limited experience auditing benefit plans, or experience auditing only small plans … may cost plan sponsors. That conclusion can be drawn from a new assessment by DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration of audit quality after reviewing annual reports from 400 sample retirement plans of various sizes. The agency found a nearly […]

How Does CPI Relate to Wage Increases?

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures how much average prices are moving by surveying households to find their average spend on specific goods and services during a given time period and then comparing that total cost to previous time periods.

Employment Branding Survey—What’s Happening Out There?

2015 has seen some dramatic changes in the business landscape, and the importance of an employer’s brand has become more important than ever. Studies are showing that top talent today want to work for a company they trust and believe in—but not much has been said about what organizations are actually doing to capitalize on […]

DIY Remedies for Wage Compression

Barry L. Brown, SPHR, CCP, of Effective Resources, Inc., understands that time and budgets are both at a premium—but that your compensation plan is probably still in need of some TLC. Yesterday, we got some of Brown’s tips for a DIY compensation makeover. Today, his thoughts on remedying a common but serious comp problem: wage […]

Incentives Are Not the Only Way to Increase Wellness Program Uptake

Wellness incentives, especially penalties, can increase employees’ participation in wellness programs but other factors play a considerable role as well, a study by the RAND Corp. indicates. “The main finding is that, while incentives increase employee uptake among programs with limited services, offering a comprehensive program is almost as effective,” according to a RAND summary. Workplace […]

Is Your Compensation Plan Due for a Makeover?

Working with outdated pay ranges can create turnover, pay equity issues, low morale, and legal challenges. Also, granting merit increases without an accurate budget or distribution methodology has the potential to damage your professional credibility. Is calling in a compensation consultant the only solution?