Why Do Corporate Pay Practices Feel So Broken? They Kind Of Are.
Apr 29, 2023
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Explore the challenges of corporate pay practices and the urgent need for transformation. Uncover why traditional pay systems feel broken and learn about the importance of pay equity. Discover how to revamp performance management and implement a transparent, systemic approach to rewards. With a focus on a high-value strategy, this discussion highlights the need for organizations to adapt to a constantly evolving job market and prioritize employee well-being for greater satisfaction and productivity.
Traditional pay practices are outdated, leading to inequities that diminish employee loyalty and necessitate a strategic overhaul of compensation systems.
Emphasizing pay equity and transparent communication about compensation can build trust among employees and help organizations attract and retain talent.
Deep dives
The Inequity of Traditional Pay Practices
Traditional pay practices have not adapted to the evolving workplace and are often shrouded in secrecy, leading to perceptions of unfairness among employees. The old system, relying on levels and bands, often results in significant pay disparities, especially for employees with rare skills who may earn substantially more than their colleagues. This disconnect creates not only internal inequity but also prompts employees to seek external opportunities that offer competitive salaries, undermining loyalty. As a result, organizations must reassess their pay strategies to ensure they align with modern workforce dynamics and expectations.
The Impact of Pay Equity and Transparency
Pay equity has emerged as a critical issue, with significant legal implications for companies failing to address disparities. The podcast discusses notable cases, such as Google's lawsuit where women received over $118 million due to systemic pay inequalities, highlighting how biases in promotion and pay persist today. Studies indicate that the average woman in the U.S. earns about 18% less than her male counterparts, revealing how crucial it is for organizations to undertake thorough pay equity analyses. Emphasizing transparency in compensation not only fosters trust within teams but also minimizes the risk of legal repercussions associated with secretive pay structures.
Reimagining Total Rewards Systems
A shift from traditional total rewards to a more comprehensive, systemic approach is necessary for organizations to remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent. The findings emphasize that while pay is a significant factor, it is the overall employee experience—including flexibility, purpose, and equity—that ultimately drives engagement and satisfaction. Furthermore, organizations need to articulate their compensation philosophy clearly to avoid ambiguity regarding how pay is determined and communicated. By focusing on systemic rewards that prioritize equity and transparent communication over merely competitive compensation, companies can enhance their workplace culture and employee loyalty.
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Rethinking Corporate Pay Practices for Modern Workforces
In this podcast I introduce our new research on pay and rewards. This enormously important part of business needs a transformation, and our new research on "Systemic Pay and Rewards" explains why. I give you an overview of why pay systems are so brittle, what really drives results, and how we can dramatically improve these important parts of our companies. You'll hear about how to implement pay equity, what to do about performance management, and why "total rewards" is just not the total solution to the problem.
In an economy where skills are constantly changing, employees are burned out, and the job market is incredibly competitive, it's time to rethink your approaches to pay and put together a high-value, strategic, "systemic" approach.
Additional ResourcesWhy Pay Practices Are Broken (article)
Systemic Rewards: The ResearchThe Definitive Guide To Pay EquitySolving the Complex, Important Pay Equity ProblemWellbeing Evolved: Building A Healthy OrganizationHow to Solve Pay Equity: More Important than You Realize (podcast)
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