Ask an HR person the size of their organisation’s salary bill and they will have no trouble coming up with a figure. But what about the link between pay and performance, the impact that pay has on employee retention or which benefits are most valued by staff?
Thanks to advances in technology, it’s easier than ever for organisations to collect the detailed data they need to make strategic decisions about compensation and benefits. But, research suggests that many companies are not yet exploiting this information. A CIPD survey found that only 19% of organisations were able to answer straightforward questions about the spread of pay between managerial and non-managerial staff.
Legislation around gender pay gap reporting will force organisations to up their game when it comes to information about salaries. But there are sound business, as well as legal, reasons for organisations to get a firm handle on managing rewards. A well put together reward strategy can play a critical role in helping the organisation get the right people in the right place at the right time – and keep them there.
So, what can HR do to help organisations develop reward strategies that meet both the needs of the business and of employees?
1. Join the dots
Decisions about rewards are often made in isolation from the overall business strategy. The key driver is how much the organisation can afford, rather than what it might need to achieve its objectives.
If you haven’t refreshed the reward strategy for a while, now might be the time to go back to the drawing board and think about the direction the business is heading, the results it needs, and the behaviours it wants to encourage. A reward strategy that reflects these key drivers is more likely to help the organisation attract and retain the right people and support the performance improvements it needs.
2. Dig into the data
There’s been a lot of talk about “Big Data” – and in particular the HR profession’s tardiness in embracing it. A reward strategy is, however, one area where data is easily accessible and understandable. If combined with other people-related information, it can provide valuable insight.
The latest generation of HR software systems are making information about performance, absence, retention and engagement readily available. Forward-looking companies are bringing these sources of information together with reward data and using them to get a real picture of what is driving productivity and motivation, and how they can use reward to keep hold of their most talented people.
3. Be flexible with benefits
The most effective reward strategies recognise that not all employees are the same. People value different benefits more or less at different ages and stages of their career. A Generation Y employee, for example, may value the chance to sacrifice some of their salary in exchange for extra holiday. A Generation X employee with a young family may place high priority on child care support, while a Baby Boomer is likely to be more focused on their pension.
The key is to talk to employees about the benefits they would find most useful and offer a carefully chosen range that people can opt in and out of as they progress through their careers.
4. Don’t fall behind the pack
Companies don’t have unlimited money to spend on salaries – but it is important to benchmark pay and benefits regularly to make sure what your offering is not seriously off kilter. Pay is far from being the only motivator, but talented people do need to feel that they are being fairly rewarded for their skills and experience if they are to stay.
Take a look at the market (both in your area and your sector) to get a sense of the ‘going rate’ for the job and the benefits that are commonly on offer, so you can make a conscious decision about where you want to sit on the playing field. Companies operating in an area of high skills shortages may need to pay a premium to attract the best people, while others may be able to occupy the middle ground based on their corporate brand or workplace culture.
5. Communicate the value
Organisations often fall into the trap of telling people at the induction stage about the great benefits package they are getting, only to never mention it again. People won’t value what they don’t understand or can’t remember. Regular communication is key to remind employees of what’s available, to encourage take-up and help them appreciate the overall value of their benefits.
Don’t forget to emphasise non-financial benefits too. Free hot drinks and fruit, the opportunity to work flexibly and a cracking Christmas party are often unsung benefits that in reality add a lot to the experience people have of working for the business.
See more information about how a people management software can help.
Erika Lucas
Writer and Communications Consultant
Erika Lucas is a writer and communications consultant with a special interest in HR, leadership, management and personal development. Her career has spanned journalism and PR, with previous roles in regional press, BBC Radio, PR consultancy, charities and business schools.