Comp and Coffee

Why has the gender pay gap stalled, and what does it take for women to break into leadership? In this episode of Comp & Coffee, Ruth Thomas sits down with Payscale’s Chief People Officer, Lexi Clarke, and Chief Customer Officer, Kate Peter, to explore the latest findings from the 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report. They discuss the challenges women face in leadership, the role of pay transparency, and what businesses can do to close the gap. Grab your coffee and join us for this important conversation!Key Highlights• Discussion of the persistent gender pay gap and the role of pay transparency in addressing this issue.• Insights from Lexi and Kate on navigating leadership roles as women and overcoming challenges in male-dominated industries.• Analysis of factors contributing to the stalling of pay gap improvements since 2022, with a focus on systemic issues and political influences.• Examination of the motherhood penalty and its impact on women's career trajectories.• The importance of having a "personal board of directors" and being authentic in leadership roles.Quotes• "I want to show her what strong looks like. I want to be messy in front of her and show her that you can lead authentically." – Kate Peter• "You can't unsee the data once you have it, and then you want to act on it." – Ruth Thomas• "Being authentic is my way of making sure I'm doing my best work." – Lexi ClarkeReferencesPayscale's 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report

Compensation practices are constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires a keen understanding of the latest trends and data. In this episode, we’re sitting down with Amy Stewart, Principal of Content Strategy; Sara Hillenmeyer, Senior Director of Data Science; and Lulu Seikaly, Senior Corporate Attorney, to pour over the latest insights from the Compensation Best Practices Report 2025. We’ll explore the hottest trends in pay strategy, the bold flavors of pay transparency, and the strongest shifts impacting compensation programs today.  Key Highlights: —Analysis of the 2025 Compensation Best Practices Report, labeled as "The Year of Contention." —Examination of trends in pay transparency and the legislative impacts on organizations. —Discussion on the increased adoption of AI and compensation technology in HR processes. —Insights into employee demand for transparency and the role of managers in pay discussions. Quotes: —"Organizations are communicating more about compensation practices, and this transparency is being followed by higher investments in compensation data." – Lulu Seikaly —"Companies are increasingly using AI to supercharge their existing HR and compensation teams with real-time data and improved workflows." – Sarah Hillenmeyer Episode Resources:       —Get the CBPR 2025 Report: https://www.payscale.com/research-and-insights/cbpr/        —Watch our expert panel: https://www.payscale.com/events/2025-compensation-best-practices-panel/

Cliff Stevenson, Director of Research at Sapient Insights Group and an expert in HR technology, dives into the dynamic world of compensation tech. He highlights AI's transformative role, emphasizing its shift from theory to practical solutions for HR professionals. The conversation reveals the importance of real-time data for compensation strategies and how HR anchor systems improve employee experiences. Stevenson also discusses future trends, including the integration of contingent labor markets and user satisfaction in compensation tools.

Lulu Seikaly, a senior corporate attorney and pay transparency expert at Payscale, joins the discussion to shed light on the evolving landscape of pay transparency. She reveals the latest developments in pay legislation across the U.S. and Europe, debunking common misconceptions for organizations. Lulu emphasizes the significance of internal pay equity checks and offers best practices for fostering trust through transparency. As employees demand greater visibility into compensation, she discusses emerging trends that organizations must navigate for a fair future.

Join Kim Taylor, VP of Compensation Services at Payscale, and Roberto Molina, Compensation Consultant at Payscale, as they dive into the nuances of effective pay conversations. They discuss the growing importance of manager preparedness in light of new pay transparency laws. Discover the pitfalls of avoiding these discussions and how to align performance reviews with compensation to foster trust. Innovative training methods to empower managers are highlighted, ensuring better communication that enhances employee engagement and satisfaction.

Sarika Lamont, Vice President of People and Culture at Vidyard, shares her expertise in compensation and HR strategies. She discusses the influence of economic shifts on HR priorities for 2025, the debate between remote work and returning to the office, and the growing importance of pay transparency. Sarika emphasizes fostering pay equity independently of DE&I initiatives and highlights innovative approaches to linking performance with compensation. Tune in for insights on emerging trends in personalized rewards and the evolving role of AI in HR practices.

Join Sarah Hillenmeyer, Payscale's Senior Director of Data Science, and Lexi Clark, Chief People Officer, as they delve into the future of HR by 2025. They discuss rapid AI adoption in recruitment, the evolving dynamics between employers and employees, and the importance of fair pay practices. Sarah predicts AI will significantly boost HR efficiency, while Lexi highlights ongoing debates around remote work and compensation. With projected wage growth changes and emerging AI regulations, this conversation provides vital insights for HR professionals navigating the future.

In this episode of Comp and Coffee, hosts Ruth Thomas and Amy Stewart dive into Payscale's 2024 Year-End Report, highlighting the state of the job market as we approach 2025. Amy Stewart, Payscale's Principal Content Strategist, shares her insights on the year’s labor market trends, hot jobs, and the significance of wage growth. The episode also explores the challenges and opportunities in recruiting and retaining top talent in an evolving economic landscape. Tune in for vital takeaways to inform your compensation strategies for the coming year. Key Highlights: Analysis of 2024 labor market trends and the return to normalcy post-pandemic. Discussion on the impacts of inflation and interest rates on the economy. Examination of the top jobs lists including fastest wage growth, quit rates, and recruitment challenges. Insights on pay transparency and its influence on organizational performance. Overview of Payscale's pivotal research reports and predictions for 2025. Quotes: "The labor market is starting to return to a state of normal." – Amy Stewart "Customer service team leader is seeing a 20% wage growth year over year." – Amy Stewart "The perception of fair pay impacts whether employees stay or leave." – Amy Stewart

Tina Yu, a Senior Product Marketing Manager at PayScale, and Olivia Crowley, a Senior Product Manager, dive into exciting Q4 advancements in compensation technology. They discuss how AI is revolutionizing compensation processes, allowing professionals to focus on strategic decisions. The guests highlight the importance of dynamic data and the enhanced survey management tools, sharing insights on transparency and data accuracy. Their conversation reveals how these innovations not only streamline tasks but also empower compensation teams to meet evolving market demands.

Marc Mullis, Chief Excitement Officer at Payformance Partners, and Elena Van Kirk, Principal Consultant at Exude Human Capital, discuss their experiences from Compference24. They highlight the importance of balancing innovative compensation strategies with tactical practices. The conversation touches on how Gen Z's expectations are reshaping workplace cultures, and the vital role managers play in salary growth. Additionally, they explore the shift towards skills-based pay systems and the critical need for pay transparency in today’s work environment.