Comp and Coffee The most important pay conversations you're not having
10 snips
Nov 3, 2025 
Join Lexi Clarke, Chief People Officer at Payscale, Lauren Hein, Head of Total Rewards, and Lauren Cole, Senior Director of Services, as they dive into the crucial topic of pay conversations. They discuss how unclear communication erodes trust and the importance of empathy in pay discussions. Learn about leveraging non-salary rewards when budgets are tight and the growing demand for pay transparency. The guests also share practical tips for managers to prepare for these sensitive talks, emphasizing the emotional impact of compensation on employees.
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Compensation Builds Or Breaks Trust
- Compensation conversations are a major point where organizations can build or break employee trust.
- Clear communication must back any compensation strategy or messages get lost in the "telephone game."
Train Managers With 'Know, Say, Do'
- Train managers and give them written resources like FAQs and talking points before conversations.
- Use structured sessions (what to know, say, do) to align manager messaging and reduce miscommunication.
Use Transparency And Total Rewards
- Be transparent about why pay decisions are made and explain limited budgets honestly.
- When merit budgets are tight, lean into total rewards and personalize non-salary benefits to retain employees.