Comp and Coffee

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.

In this episode, Katie Harmon, Director of Channels at Payscale, and Sarah Hillenmeyer, Senior Director of Data Science at Payscale, share insights from the recent HR Tech conference in Las Vegas. They discuss the transformative role of AI in HR, moving beyond just ideas to practical applications. Skills-based talent management is highlighted as a means to boost diversity and fair compensation. The dynamic atmosphere of the conference is brought to life with stories of innovation and engagement, shedding light on the future of HR practices.

In this special centenary episode of Comp and Coffee, host Ruth Thomas celebrates 100 insightful episodes of discussions on compensation. Joined by Heather Kruger, Senior Director of Corporate Marketing, and Zach Jamieson, HR Manager at Payscale, this episode reflects on past episodes' themes and their evolution in today's workplace. From the historical journey of pay structures to remote work dynamics, this episode offers a comprehensive reflection and future outlook on compensation management. Key Highlights: The origins and evolution of the Comp and Coffee podcast. Reflections on episode 25's discussion on salary structures and the impact of pay transparency legislation. Insights on the journey towards pay transparency and equitable compensation practices. The transformation of remote work and its implication on organizational policies and employee engagement. Revisiting episode 75's debate on quiet quitting and its relation to employee engagement and workplace culture. A look at Payscale's upcoming annual virtual conference, Compference24. Quotes: "Great compensation is not just about structures—it's about fostering simple, honest conversations over a cup of coffee." – Heather Kruger "Our culture isn't built by the walls of our office." – Paul Wolfe, as quoted by Ruth Thomas "It's really about knowing when enough is enough and when you're maybe pushing your employee just a little bit too much." – Zach Jamieson

In this episode of Comp & Coffee, host Ruth Thomas delves into the insights from Payscale’s newly released 2024 Salary Budget Survey Report. Joined by Amy Stewart, Principal of Research and Insights at Payscale, and Minde Stone, Senior Director of Rewards, HR Operations, and Talent Acquisition, the discussion covers critical findings from the survey, the macroeconomic factors influencing salary budgets, and practical tips for compensation professionals as they approach the budgeting season. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to compensation management, this episode offers actionable advice for planning your salary budget for 2025. Key Highlights: Overview of the 2024 Salary Budget Survey and its importance for budget planning. Decline in salary budgets from the peak of the Great Resignation. Discussion on macroeconomic factors impacting salary budgets. Differences in salary budgeting trends across various industries. Practical tips for compensation professionals during the budgeting season. Importance of stakeholder engagement in the budgeting process.  

Jennifer Ferris, a Principal Solutions Consultant at Payscale, and Liz Sheffield, Manager of Content Marketing, share insights on impactful summer reads. They tackle the balancing act of niceness and effectiveness in leadership, revealing personal stories that resonate with many women in the workplace. The discussion shifts to the importance of inclusive leadership and collaboration, emphasizing co-elevation as a strategy for modern leaders. Lastly, they explore the critical need for pay equity and its implications for individuals and communities.