Employee compensation and reward systems have undergone a couple of paradigm shifts since inception. Reward systems were traditionally compensation based and focused on the individual or the position (Beam 1995). After a recession in the early 1980's, employers turned to performance based models in an attempt to save money while still rewarding top performers (Applebaum & Shapiro, 1992). Today, the most successful organizations are using a total reward model, a hybrid of the performance based model combined with strategic human resource management planning to create reward systems that both benefit the employee and help organizations realize their operational goals (Chen & Hsieh, 2006).
Traditional Reward Systems
Beam (1995) defined traditional rewards systems as hierarchy-based, often tied to seniority or position rather than performance, where rewards were usually a product of promotion. Rewarding stability such as seniority or annual goals create organizations resistant to change (Lawler & Worley, 2006). According to research presented by Lawler and Worley (2006), Chen and Hsieh (2006) and Beam (1995), traditional reward systems are not effective at motivating employee performance or organizational excellence, and they often lead to complacent organizations not capable of the rapid change required to remain effective. As a result, traditional hierarchy-based systems have since been replaced with performance based models.
Performance Based Reward Systems
Following the recession in the early 1980's businesses turned toward performance based pay in an effort to increase profits and productivity (Appelbaum & Shapiro, 1992). A joint study conducted in the late 80's between the American Productivity Center and the American C...
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In a business or a workplace, it is essential for the organization, which consists of the employers, the managers, and their employees, to work towards reward programs within the human resources in order to create a healthy and cordial work environment and most importantly, to efficiently achieve business’ goals. In Carol Patton’s (2013) article, Rewarding Best Behaviors, she explains the importance of several companies that are beginning to recognize their employees, not just for the end-results, but for reflecting good behaviors towards the business’ values, such as demonstrating creativity on certain projects, problem solving towards certain issues, and also collaborating with fellow co-workers. Patton stresses that these reward programs could help suffice the overall being of a company as long as the rewarded behaviors correlate with the corporate strategy. Patton expresses that some things human resources must comprehend include “how its company creates success, what drives its business strategy and what behaviors are needed from employees to achieve that success” (Patton, 2013 para. 15). Moreover, the employee would be reflected as a role model for others and perhaps influence them to demonstrate comparable behaviors.
Graham, M. D., Roth, T. A., & Dugan, D. (2008). Effective executive compensation: Creating a total rewards strategy for executives. New York: AMACOM/American Management Association.
Companies are increasingly thinking about getting rid of annual pay raises. The positive side of this could redefine reward systems which motivates employees and attract high quality workers. Being that it could also have a negative side, it could prove to be a demoralizing switch that leaves many workers not able to provide for their cost of living. There is a decision to be made throughout companies which will have an effect not only on the company, but on the employees as well.
The total rewards approach challenges the human resources (HR) professional to look at the entirety of the work experience, not just the traditional compensation and benefits packages, when developing strategies to recruit, retain, and motivate employees (Giancola, 2009; Pregnolato, Bussin, & Schlechter, 2017; Stoskopf, 2004). Total rewards approach has five components – base compensation, benefits, performance and recognition (Giancola, 2009; Gomez-Mejia, Balkin, & Cardy, 2016; Pregnolato, et al., 2017; Stoskopf, 2004), work-life balance, and development and career opportunities (Giancola, 2009; Pregnolato, et al., 2017; Stoskopf, 2004). These components, when integrated into a comprehensive total rewards
Incentive compensation should communicate a company’s overall objectives and be structured so as to reward performance while ensuring overall company growth objectives are met. One type of an incentive is a structured incentive, these incentives have two components; (1) they must be capable of fluctuating as performance changes, and (2) based on a specific accomplishment that is understood by both management and the employee. Examples include but are not limited to piece rate (set dollar amount for every product sold), profit sharing, or set percentage of the total dollar amount sold. Whichever pay structure is implemented it will be important that the incentive be linked to pay for performance. It is presently clear that resources make it difficult to offer competitive salaries that are aligned with the larger competitors. Therefore, linking pay for performance will ensure optimal results for both the company and the employee. Implementing a fair pay structure will not only motivate employees, it will also facilitate in their retention which will decrease costs associated with
Bratton and Gold (2003) describe a reward system as “The combination of extrinsic and intrinsic rewards delivered by the employer. It also consists of the incorporated policies, processes, performs and administrative processes for executing the system within the framework of the human resources (HR) strategy and the total organizational system”.
Performance related pay is a financial reward given to employees whose work is considered to have reached a required standard or is above average. “PRP criteria can relate to the individual employee, to work groups or to the organization as a whole” (Armstrong, 2002). It is fair to provide people with financial rewards as a means of paying them according to their contribution (Armstrong 1993:86). The primary purpose of performance related pay in any organization is to recruit, retain and motivate the workforce. It also helps in focusing employees’ minds on particular goals (Protsik, 1966); communicate to employees an organization’s core values, and change the culture of that organization (Kessler and Purcell, 1991).
Corporations are looking for new ways to improve employee performance as well as remain competitive. Pay for performance is one method some businesses are utilizing to improve employee performance. Performance-based compensation exists when compensation is tied directly to that portion of an individual’s performance that can be effectively measured. There are a number of ways in which this may be accomplished and a number of examples as well how it is applied. One of the oldest examples is taken from the ancient Egyptians, where slaves working in the pyramids were given bread for superior performance. Payment of commission for sales production is one of the methods used today.
Pay for performance structure is critical to business overall performance. It is one of the effective ways that a firm can motivate its employees to improve their effort and remain loyal to the firm. As noted earlier, the pay for performance influences the labor supply and demand curve to create a competitive labor market. Two exemplary companies in Singapore that have managed to attract employees and retain high performance are SAP and ChapmanCG. The SAP, an IT and software firm, for instance, implements the SAP Success Factor compensation, a program meant to align compensation with the firm’s goals in order to retail qualified and talented employees (SAP 2016). This compensations program
In any organization, sometimes, monetary schemes doesnot get people involve to pursue work in a certain way, rather it demoralize and threatens the self-esteem of employees. According to Meyer (1975), “the basis for most of the problems with merit pay plans is that most people think their own performance is above average”. The amount may ...
There is considerable debate over merit pay and the effect it has on employees within an organization. Psychologists believe merit pay is related to the incentive theory of psychology; people respond to rewards and with the proper motivation, it increases performance (Cherry). Employers consider merit pay an effective tool and a form of competition strategy for motivating employees to achieve positive performance outcomes. Many employers ignore the fact that incentive plans may motivate some individuals while others have high work ethics and do not need motivation. The intent of this paper is to discuss merit pay used by companies, the motivational factors on employees to reach high achievement, and the challenges that employees face due
Reward and recognition has to be promoted for small and large achievements. An effective reward’s program keeps employees engaged, dedicated, and committed to the organization.
Organizations are working hard in today’s world of business, not only to remain competitive, but also to focus on stability and structure. Employees are the backbone of an organization. It is becoming more important to offer quality HRM programs to staff, in order to support the retention of trained and experienced staff. Employees have always been concerned with salary however, there is a new focus emerging that looks at compensation as a whole entity. Monetary wages are now just as important as other benefits such as paid time off, medical and dental offerings and retirement. This paper will discuss the importance of the total compensation program which includes many aspects, not just salary. Attention must be paid to equal pay, pay
The foundation for effective job performance and compensation system can be traced to effective job analysis process. Fundamentally, a job analysis should consist of a thorough examination of the job 's duties and knowledge, skills, abilities, and qualities that are required in order to be successful in a specific position, upon which appropriate rewards or compensation can be determined. For many perspectives, jobs are usually made up of requirements and rewards, where rewards may be regarded as a major recruitment strategy for motivating potential employees in order to influence them to stay the organization for a longer period as well as enhance their performance. The most common or basic form of rewards which attracts employees is extrinsic