Despite 93% of U.S. employers implementing pay increases this year, many workers still struggle to meet their basic needs. Though the majority of employers delivered on pay raises this year, Mercer’s recent QuickPulse U.S. Compensation Planning Survey found that the average merit increase was just 3.2%, which fell slightly below projections.

Because of this, some HR leaders, researchers and payroll experts argue that compensation strategies must evolve. From living wage thresholds to same-day pay to financial coaching, CHROs are exploring how to treat pay as a system of resilience, not just a budget line. READ MORE