Archives

Key Comp Issues: Alignment, Compression, and Risk

[Go here for questions 1 and 2] 3. What is the Alignment of Incumbents Within Their Pay Grades? Perform the following analyses, suggests Carroll: All positions in the organization compared to the midpoint (market) Positions within each pay grade compared to the midpoint (market) Analysis of incumbents within each pay grade compared to the midpoint […]

Performance Appraisal Ratings—Training Required!

Because poor performance is often advanced as the reason for a termination, the performance appraisal system is often the crux of the defense against a wrongful termination suit. Here’s how to train your managers and supervisors to make sure your appraisals hold up. Direct Legal Problems in Appraisals One common claim is from an employee […]

Compensation: Alignment, Compression, and Risk

Yesterday’s Advisor featured PayScale’s Stacey Carroll’s tips for compensation analytics. Today, more of her analysis tips, plus an introduction to the trusted compensation guide, , Employee Compensation in [Your State]. [Go here for questions 1 and 2] 3. What is the Alignment of Incumbents Within Their Pay Grades? Perform the following analyses, suggests Carroll: All […]

Judge Supports Employee Request for Benefit Details

By Jane Meacham Employers and plan administrators may want to err on the side of providing more information, not less. That is one of the messages behind a recent decision by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division. In Arp v. Whirlpool Corp.,  Case No. 3:12 CV 770 (July 10, […]

Putting the "me" in team

Putting the “me” in team

There is no “I” in team, but there is a “me.” How many times have you heard someone utter that phrase tongue-in-cheek? I’m sure it has been at least a time or two. Now think for a moment, have you ever worked with someone who really does put the “me” in team? My guess is […]

'They Never Told Me'

‘Surely They Know What I Want’ Managers and supervisors don’t like confronting their employees about performance problems so they tend to assume that employees are aware that they are not doing an acceptable job. Unfortunately, employees don’t think that way. They assume that everything is fine unless they are told otherwise. Then if there’s a […]

Breach of privacy rights: What’s it worth?

by Lorene Novakowski In a recent Alberta arbitration award, the arbitrator awarded damages to employees for a breach of their privacy rights, in the amount of $1,250 each. The grievance arose after the province of Alberta conducted background credit checks  without consent on 26 government employees. The employees worked in an area–maintenance enforcement–that gave them discretion in […]

C-Suite Won’t Buy In? You’re Talking About Comp the Wrong Way

Special from Atlanta–SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition If your C-Suite suits won’t pay attention when you talk about your compensation program, says Payscale, Inc.’s Stacey Carroll, M.B.A., CCP, SPHR, you’re talking about compensation the wrong way. Carroll talks of one CEO who was frustrated about compensation. He had his 12 top people that he wanted […]

Can You Force Employees on Intermittent Leave to Transfer (Yes, BUT …)

Yesterday’s Advisor covered nine traps of intermittent leave; today, the tricky issue of transferring employees on leave, plus an introduction to the guide we call the “FMLA Bible.” In the case of reduced and intermittent leave, an employer may temporarily move an employee to a different job for the duration of the intermittent or reduced […]

Groups Plead to Preserve Plans’ ERISA Discretionary Authority

Four groups — the ERISA Industry Committee, the American Benefits Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable — filed an amicus brief July 26 to urge 2nd Circuit judges to support the principle of deference to plan administrators’ decisions over benefit plans. When plans reserve discretionary authority in plan documents, courts must […]