Tag: incentives

Bonus Compensation: A Matter of Discretion

By Angelo D. Catalano, Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP Incentive or bonus-based compensation can create many thorny issues. While some year-end bonuses resemble gifts from the boss, especially if they’re paid around holiday time, other bonuses are intended to be incentives tied to performance by a group or an individual.

Pros and Cons of Monetary Incentives

Most employers are looking for ways to maximize employee productivity and efficiency. But how can employees be motivated to work toward this goal? Some say it can’t be done, that motivation is intrinsic and therefore, nearly impossible to influence through external means. Others say that there are plenty of ways to improve employee motivation and […]

What’s Behind the Move to Variable Performance Pay?

Across-the-board increases and the entitlement mentality are out, and the pay-for-performance mentality is in, says Consultant Teri Morning, MBA, MS, SPHR, SPHR-CA. Organizations are looking for less expensive, less permanent solutions, such as lump sum payments, bonuses, or just paying top performers, she adds. Increasingly, employers are less averse to withholding merit increases for poor […]

VBBD—A Practical Case Study Shows Benefits

In yesterday’s Advisor, consultant Carla McCormick offered tips for moving toward Value-Based Benefits Design (VBBD). Today, she offers a case study in VBBD plus we introduce a timely webinar on your 2014 Affordable Care Act obligations. McCormick, a consultant with Fallon Benefits Group in Atlanta, made her remarks at BLR’s Advanced Employment Issues Symposium, held […]

Where Are Benefits Headed? VBBD

Where are benefits heading? To Value-Based Benefits Design (VBBD), says consultant Carla McCormick. If you are not evaluating VBBD for your company, you are ignoring large potential savings, she adds. What is VBBD? It’s about taking a comprehensive approach to helping employees be healthier—and helping the company save money. McCormick, a consultant with Fallon Benefits […]

team

How Do Team Incentives Compare to Individual Incentives?

Yesterday’s Advisor featured consultant Katie M. Busch’s tips on incentives for nonexempts. Today, her take on team vs. individual awards, plus an introduction to the unique guide just for smaller—or even one-person—HR departments. Busch, whose remarks came at a recent BLR-sponsored webinar, is owner of HR Compensation Consultants, LLC. Here are her suggestions about team […]

salary

Should Nonexempts Get Incentive Pay?

Yes, pay for performance applies to all levels of jobs, says consultant Katie M. Busch, but there are some caveats when you offer incentive programs to nonexempts. Variable pay is a powerful communicator of values and directions and changing business needs, says Busch. However, with nonexempt employees, it is particularly important that: The amount of […]