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Today’s Top Compensation Trends

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Although some organizations may cut jobs or reduce hiring as economic growth slows, some are paying higher employee wages to keep and win top talent. More than ever, compensation is top of mind for employers and employees alike. Today, workers can demand higher pay and better benefits as many employers face a worker shortage and struggle with employee attraction and retention. The latest compensation trends aren’t just about wage increases, but also workers wanting to get paid differently, be compensated based on their work, and receive more pay transparency.

Organizations are facing evolving talent challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has given workers time to reflect on their jobs and consider opportunities with a fresh perspective. On top of that, both employers and employees are feeling the financial strain of record-high inflation. When employees feel adequately compensated for their job, they’re more motivated to give it their all. Proper compensation demonstrates to employees that they’re valued as workers and humans. This article explores today’s top compensation trends and how employers can best compete in the labor market looking ahead to 2023.

1. Salary Hikes

The reality of the current labor market is that there are more open jobs than people to fill them, and inflation is impacting employees’ pay expectations. As a result, salary budgets for American employees are projected to increase in 2023. According to Willis Towers Watson’s
July report, companies are budgeting an overall average increase of 4.1% for 2023, compared with the average actual 4% increase in 2022. Keep in mind that these are the most significant increases since 2008. Forty-six percent of respondents said the top reason pay budgets are increasing next year is based on employee expectations for higher pay.

These percentages don’t account for inflation, so pay bumps likely haven’t helped workers much. While employers are exploring more competitive compensation strategies, wage raises still lag behind the current rate of inflation.

2. Variable Pay

Generally, pay is categorized as “variable” when a substantial proportion of an employee’s compensation changes from time to time, rather than being set at a fixed hourly or salary rate. For example, some compensation plans may have a less substantial base pay—allowing employees to earn a high percentage of their total compensation via variable pay, such as sales commission or earnings based on performance. Likewise, others use variable pay for a very small proportion of an employee’s total rewards, such as an expected bonus at the end of the year.

When utilized effectively, these incentives can boost motivation. Organizations also sometimes leverage these structures to retain flexibility and adaptability—particularly in uncertain economic environments. If the business does well, more compensation can be shared with employees, while allowing the ability to avoid excess pay if profits are down.

3. On-Demand Pay

The traditional weekly or biweekly concept of “payday” is ingrained in many workplaces. However, some employers are exploring ways to pay their workers faster, especially those in industries that provide hourly wages or have high turnover rates (e.g., retail, hospitality, manufacturing and health care). On-demand pay allows employees to be paid as soon as they’ve earned their wages. Americans are facing rising costs for everyday essentials, health care, and other emergencies. Because of these increasing financial burdens, employers are considering how they can provide employees with faster access to their earnings.

Employers may use bank account direct deposits or prepaid debit cards to pay employees instantly. The ability to be paid sooner can be valuable and potentially provide additional organizational benefits, such as increased attraction and retention levels.

4. Raises

Raises are in the spotlight as many workers change jobs or careers. According to a new ADP report analyzing payroll data, workers who changed jobs got a median raise of 16.1%. Interestingly, according to the same report, that’s nearly double the median change (7.6%) in yearly pay for those who stayed in their jobs. Job hopping has proven to be a way employees can compete with increasing costs amid inflation and be better positioned to afford everyday life. To compete, organizations are finding ways to offer raises to match the pay increases of employees’ counterparts leaving for other, higher-paying opportunities.

5. Pay Transparency

Pay transparency is another hot topic. Today’s workers want to know what they’ll be paid before interviewing and that they’re being compensated fairly compared to their colleagues. Workers also want to clearly understand their career development potential, as many are interested in professional growth opportunities.

Some large states, most recently California, have passed pay transparency requirements. For example, some states require organizations to disclose salary in job postings, but others require it only upon request. The goal is to promote more equitable pay regardless of specific details. Although conditions can vary, many municipalities and states are poised to join the growing nationwide pay transparency movement. As a result, many U.S. employers feel pressured to provide salary information even when they are not legally required to do so. This pressure has been compounded by the increase in companies, such as Indeed.com and Glassdoor Inc., posting pay estimates and data for job postings that can often be inaccurate.

6. Well-Being Perks

As many workers reconsider their jobs they may also look to take better care of themselves physically and mentally. Today’s employees seek work-life balance and resources to care for themselves and their families. Although many organizations have expanded their employee assistance programs, mental wellness goes beyond access to care. Employers can consider how employees are treated in the workplace and find ways to help reduce burnout. Some employers are offering mental health days and flexible working options to help employees take control of their workday.

7. Increased Minimum Wage

For years, states have been pushing their minimum wage above the federal minimum rate of $7.25 an hour. When both the state rate and federal rates apply, employers must pay their employees the higher of the two rates. This can also be true of local ordinances for minimum wage—which can be even higher.

Summary

As businesses and individuals continue to navigate high inflation and other financial challenges, compensation will remain a top deciding factor for workers. As employees reconsider their jobs and careers, total compensation can be the item that piques their attention.

Organizations will likely continue to compete for top talent—local, hybrid and remote—and compensation could be the differentiator. Reach out to us for additional resources.

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Employee Benefit Plan Limit for 2023

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Many employee benefits are subject to annual dollar limits that are adjusted for inflation by the IRS each year. The following commonly offered Employee Benefits are subject to these limits:

  • High deductible health plans (HDHPs) and health savings accounts (HSAs)
  • Health flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
  • 401(k) plans
  • Transportation fringe benefit plans.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PDF DETAILING 2023 LIMIT INCREASES:

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The IRS typically announces the dollar limits that will apply for the next calendar year well before the beginning of that year. This gives employers time to update their plan designs and make sure their plan administration is consistent with the new limits.

This Compliance Overview includes a chart of the inflation-adjusted limits for 2023. Due to high rates of inflation, all of these limits will substantially increase for 2023. Note that there are some benefit limits that are not indexed for inflation, such as the dependent care FSA limit and the catch-up contribution limit for HSAs.

Increased Limits

  • HSA contributions
  • HDHP limits for minimum deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums
  • Health FSA pre-tax contribution limit
  • Health FSA carryover limit
  • Monthly limits for transportation fringe benefit plans
  • Employees’ elective deferrals to 401(k) plans, pre-tax and Roth
  • Tax exclusion for adoption assistance benefits

Unchanged Limits

The following limits stay the same from year to year because they are not indexed for inflation:

  • Tax exclusion for dependent care FSA benefits
  • Catch-up contributions to an HSA

LINKS AND RESOURCES

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PDF DETAILING 2023 LIMIT INCREASES

In connection with the increased limits for 2023, employers should review and revise participant communications and election forms, amend plan documents and summary plan descriptions, and update all payroll and/or human resources systems with the new dollar amount limitations.

Identifying and Retaining Key Employees

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Identifying and retaining key employees is especially important in light of ongoing attraction and retention difficulties employers have been facing. According to Zywave’s 2022 Attraction and Retention Survey, more than 75% of employers consider attraction and retention to be among their top five business challenges. In response to changing work demands brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and trends such as the “Great Reshuffle”—a mass movement of workers from their current roles to positions that meet their shifting job expectations and priorities—retaining employees has become increasingly difficult for employers.

In order for organizations to continue to succeed, it is important that they are able to find and retain their best workers. These workers are those who affect performance and drive business for their employers, making them critical assets. This article provides more information on key employees, explains how to identify them, and offers ways employers can retain such workers.

Key Employees Explained

So who are your Key Employees? Key employees are those whose skills, knowledge, and excellent performance can be linked to their organizations’ overall success. There are different attributes that may contribute to workers who are critical to their organizations. Often, these employees have special proprietary knowledge, additional certifications, degrees, or licenses that help their organizations function more efficiently.

Key employees may also help establish strong relationships within their organizations and with clients. The primary takeaway is that key employees have a tangible impact on their companies and they are difficult to replace.

Identifying Key Employees

To retain key employees, employers have to know how to identify them. The traits of key employees may differ between organizations. Here are some general indicators of such workers:

  • Exceed expectations—These employees consistently go above and beyond what they are expected to do.
  • Enhance strategies—Such employees proactively search for ways to improve their companies’ strategies and operations without being told to do so.
  • Affect performance—The presence of these employees is often connected to increased performance and their absence can have negative effects on overall results.
  • Impact business relations—Losing such employees may hurt relationships with clients and vendors.
  • Connect teams—These employees foster connections between various teams and help smaller team cultures blend into their companies’ larger cultures.

These attributes are important ones that can help employers make general determinations regarding which workers are the most irreplaceable within their organizations.

How to Retain Key Employees

Once you’ve identified your key employees, now you can begin the work of retaining them. Here are some ways employers can work to keep their key employees:

  • Identify your key employees. If employers cannot figure out who their key employees are, they are far less likely to be able to retain them.
  • Maintain open communication. Openly communicating with your key employees will help ensure that you’re aware of what their needs are. When there is a lack of communication, these employees could be driven to look elsewhere. 
  • Ensure competitive compensation. Key employees usually go above and beyond the duties set out in their roles. As such, employers should consider compensating them for that extra work so they feel their efforts are being valued. It may be a good idea to reevaluate compensation strategies before top-performing workers decide to leave for other organizations that may pay them more.
  • Provide learning and development opportunities. Employees who overachieve are often eager to learn more and want their organizations to help them do so. Employers should consider offering learning and development opportunities. This can both satiate employees’ desires to learn, as well as help their workers to enhance their skill sets.
  • Update Employee Benefits. Employers should ask their employees which benefits they get the most use out of and which additional offerings they might like to see. Part of retaining key employees is ensuring they receive benefits and compensation that match their needs. It is important to determine whether their current benefits offerings help achieve those goals.
  • As employers strive to keep key employees, it remains crucial to treat all employees fairly, particularly when making employment decisions related to compensation, promotions and learning and development opportunities. Organizations should ensure their performance management practices comply with all applicable employment laws.

Takeaway

Key employees are vital to the success of their organizations. It is important to figure out who these employees are and how to keep them. Employers should stay alert to indicators of key employees within their organizations and figure out those workers’ desires so they can implement effective strategies to retain them.

For more information on attraction and retention, contact CorpStrat today.

6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Health Plan

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Health insurance may be one of the most critical annual purchases since it impacts your physical, mental, and financial wellness. Unfortunately, selecting a health insurance plan can feel overwhelming. With so many options, it can also be easy to make a mistake when selecting coverage.

This article explores six common missteps related to selecting a health insurance plan. Once armed with this information, it’ll be easier to avoid these mistakes and choose the best plan coverage for your situation.

Mistake #1: Rushing Through Enrollment Options

Many people rush when buying their health insurance or only rely on recommendations from friends, family and co-workers. Others may simply re-enroll with last year’s choices. But health insurance provides personal coverage, so it’s important to research and find what will work best for your health needs and budget. Read our full blog post to learn what to look out for before you finalize your decisions.

When it comes time to enroll in a plan, compare different policies and understand their coverages and associated costs (e.g., premiums). One of the best ways to ensure the policy is right for your health needs is to consider your medical requirements and spending in the next year. Don’t forget to confirm in-network coverage to ensure that your preferred doctor, clinic, and pharmacy is connected in the new plan. Then, you can find the most suitable plan and coverage in an effort to simplify your health care and make it more affordable.

Mistake #2: Overlooking Policy Documents

A lot of people skip through or don’t thoroughly read the policy’s terms and conditions. But often this is the best way to know what to expect from your health plan and what the plan expects of you. Don’t forget to read the fine print on each plan you consider to avoid surprise bills later on. Reviewing the policy’s inclusions and exclusions will help you make an informed decision that’s right for you.

Mistake #3: Misunderstanding Costs

Plans typically have a deductible, copays and coinsurance. Here’s what those terms mean:

The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your health insurance starts to cover costs. A copay is a flat fee you pay upfront for doctor visits, prescriptions and other health care services. Coinsurance is the percentage you pay for covered health services after you’ve met your deductible.

When shopping for a plan, keep in mind that the deductible is tied to the premium. A low deductible plan may seem attractive until you understand that it generally comes with a higher premium—and vice versa. When shopping for a plan, look closely to see when you’ll have a copay and how much it will cost for various services.

Mistake #4: Concealing Your Medical History

It may be tempting to avoid sharing your medical history if you’re worried about being rejected or receiving higher premiums. However, it could hurt you in the long run when insurance claims are denied for existing conditions or undisclosed medical information.

Mistake #5: Ignoring Add-ons

Health insurance add-ons are often included separately and require an additional premium, which means many people don’t look at them. A standard health insurance plan may not cover certain situations, so reviewing all available options is essential. An insurance add-on could help bolster your overall health insurance coverage by offering extra protection.

Review the add-on covers offered with your health insurance policy and see if any would be helpful for you, your family or plans in the next year. Some common add-ons include critical illness insurance, maternity and newborn baby insurance, hospital daily expenses and emergency ambulance services.

Mistake #6: Selecting Insufficient Coverage

People may hold back on purchasing certain coverage to pay a lower premium. While that may seem advantageous in the short term, you’ll be on the hook for out-of-pocket costs when facing a medical emergency. This mistake may be accompanied by physical, mental and financial health consequences.

When selecting a plan, check that the policy provides adequate coverage for your medical needs and other essentials. The right health insurance can take care of yourself and ensure financial security.

Summary

Health insurance is an essential investment for you and your family. By avoiding common mistakes while buying health insurance, you’ll be better informed to enroll in a plan and other coverages.

As health care costs continue to rise, it’s more important than ever to carefully review available policies, consider your options and health needs, and, ultimately, select the best plan to protect your health and finances.

If you have more questions about health plans, contact your manager or HR.

How to Encourage Employee Healthcare Comparison Shopping

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It’s a tough time for a lot of people out there: inflation is driving up the cost of everything from food to gas and your employees are feeling the sting. But even if this is the case, most Americans don’t realize they can comparison shop to make sure they’re getting the best price for their healthcare services. A survey from AKASA, a healthcare artificial intelligence company, revealed that nearly two-thirds (64%) of Americans have never tried to find the price of a specific healthcare service.

Paying more for healthcare doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality service or better outcomes. This is why shopping around for healthcare is so important, it can result in cost savings for both employees and employers. Today we’re going to talk about strategies employers can use to encourage employees to shop for high-value healthcare, which can help lower your organization’s health care costs.

1. Educate Employees

One of the first steps in helping encourage employees to shop around for healthcare is education. Employers have a unique opportunity to provide data and information to help employees understand the savings potential of healthcare comparison shopping.

Specifically, employers can help employees understand price variation and explain how to best shop around. According to Healthcare Bluebook data, U.S. healthcare prices vary an average of 650% for the same procedure. That’s a huge variance. 

Additionally, the federal government has started increasing price transparency for health care services, which can help with comparison shopping. For example, new rules require hospitals to post pricing online for various services and procedures. Starting next year, health insurers must share their negotiated prices with the public. So, as health care pricing gets more transparent, employers can really help employees better understand these price lists. 

2. Provide Transparency Tools

Employers can direct employees to user-friendly tools that break down pricing. Employers should connect with their benefits partners to understand what resources and transparency tools are already available for their employees. Some of these you’re already paying for but aren’t utilizing. There are also state-sponsored resources that offer tools to help consumers compare hospitals, health care facilities, and other providers in their state.

It’s essential to explain that if high healthcare costs are left unchecked, employees may experience reduced benefits or increased employee cost sharing. Of course, savings can help the organization, but it’s important to highlight how employees individually benefit.

3. Incentivize Behaviors

Another way to help make healthcare shopping top of mind for employees is to create rewards for certain consumer behaviors. Employers can create incentives for employees that use employer-provided price transparency tools to comparison shop for services and procedures.

Some employers may offer cash incentives, while others offer wellness program points. For example, wellness points could be redeemed for health savings account contributions or reduced cost sharing. As with any organizational initiative, employers should consider making it fun. Gamification (e.g., point scoring and social connection) can help facilitate friendly competition and increase employee engagement and motivation.

Conclusion

Healthcare costs are undeniably going to continue rising. Employers will need to take proactive approaches to reduce these costs. They have an opportunity to make employees feel empowered to take charge of their health and actively comparison shop for quality healthcare at the best price. A mix of education, provision of tools and incentivization may be the magic combination to help change employees’ health care shopping behaviors.

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If you’re interested in learning more about this, give us a call. We’re here to help.