Comp and Coffee

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.

Brooke Grimes, Senior Director of Product Marketing, and Brittany Innes, Senior Director of Product Management, delve into Payscale's groundbreaking innovations in compensation management. They discuss the rising importance of pay transparency regulations and how new tools like Job Family Management are reshaping strategies. The duo also shares insights on enhancing user experiences and participant engagement in salary surveys. Additionally, they tease an exciting upcoming webinar that promises to showcase these advancements and improve client interactions.

Join Ruth Thomas, Chief Evangelist at Payscale, and team members as they discuss the importance of participating in third-party salary surveys, managing multiple data sources, and the impact of AI in compensation management. They explore collaborations with survey providers, the value of survey data in the labor market, job posting data's role in compensation analysis, and the evolving compensation landscape with the introduction of P-scale as a data-driven tool.

Join Ruth Thomas, Chief Evangelist at Payscale, and her co-host Liz Sheffield as they recap their experience at the WorldatWork Total Rewards 2024 conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. This episode features in-depth discussions on the latest trends in reward and compensation, key takeaways from various sessions on AI, pay transparency, and personal reflections from industry professionals. Gain valuable insights on how to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of compensation management.

In this episode of Comp & Coffee, Ruth Thomas discusses the upcoming WorldatWork Total Reward 2024 Conference. She is joined by Lexi Clarke, Chief People Officer at Payscale, and James Atkinson, VP of Data Products. They talk about the sessions they will be leading at the conference, including topics such as equipping people managers for effective pay conversations and the impact of AI on compensation. They also discuss the importance of continuous learning and networking at events like WorldatWork.  

Amy Stewart, CBPR author, and Lulu Seikaly, Payscale's Sr. Corporate Attorney, discuss pay transparency, AI in compensation decisions, minimum wage impacts, pay equity trends, and AI's role in reducing unfulfilling work. The importance of strategic compensation management to attract and retain talent, navigate legal landscapes, and foster employee trust and engagement is emphasized.

Ruth Thomas and her Payscale colleagues discuss AI innovations in compensation, including job description management and HR efficiency. They highlight new features like Explore Payscale Tiles and Single Sign-On. The team emphasizes the importance of robust data sources for accurate benchmarking and customer demands. Payscale certifications program and partnerships for enhanced data offerings are also mentioned.

Delving into the complexities of gender pay gaps, the podcast explores the impact of age on pay discrepancies and changing perceptions of women's work. The discussion includes practical tips for closing the gap and emphasizes the importance of recognizing employee contributions. Additionally, insights on how working from home affects the pay gap are also discussed.