Why workers are earning better pay — and why it won’t help them all that much

Hurray. American workers are finally getting bigger pay raises. Unfortunately, rising inflation is eating up a lot of the extra cash and will lead to higher borrowing costs on mortgages and car loans.

The amount of money paid per hour to American workers rose in August to a yearly pace of 2.9% — the highest level since the end of the Great Recession in mid-2009. READ MORE

What HR needs to know about performance management

You might have heard by now that the annual performance review process has fallen out of favor. But what does that mean in practice?

The classic lawyer answer applies: It depends — on your company culture, your technology and your management team. Employers are inundated with options, but many are shifting toward something more informal and less tightly structured. More employees want continuous feedback and, increasingly, managers are able to offer it. A solid performance management program will be able to nurture star workers and suss out bad hires, while finding ways to support both when necessary. Inside you'll find guides on what works — and what to do when it doesn't. READ MORE

Could New 'Smaller Reporting Company' Rules Affect GC Compensation?

In June of this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted to approve rule amendments (referred to in this article as the amendments) that specifically expand the definition of the so-called “smaller reporting company.” The amendments, that become effective this September, will result in 966 additional companies becoming eligible for smaller reporting company status. As a result, almost 1,000 companies can take advantage of scaled-down disclosures in their periodic reports and proxy statements, which includes opting out of executive compensation disclosures entirely. This article explores whether such an opportunity could affect executive compensation decisions altogether. READ MORE

Getting The Most Value From Your Employee Stock Options

For those lucky enough to have an employee stock option plan, the rewards can be quite substantial. If managed properly, those assets could fund many of your financial goals (i.e. retirement, a dream wedding, new home, paying for your kids’ college). This is one of the main reasons plans like these have been used, for years, to attract and retain top level talent. While those types of plans are commonly offered by tech companies like Apple, Google and Tesla, they are also provided by a number of other employers. READ MORE

Compensation for outside corporate directors increased 3%

Total pay for outside directors at the nation's largest corporations increased by a modest 3% in 2017, driven by increases in cash and stock compensation, according to a new analysis by Willis Towers Watson, a leading global advisory, and solutions company. The study also revealed more companies are implementing annual limits on director compensation in the wake of shareholder lawsuits alleging that pay for board members is excessive. READ MORE

None of the state minimum wages provide a family living wage

Amid gridlock in boardrooms and Congress on proposals to improve worker pay and employment conditions, state governments have taken the lead, forcing companies to raise minimums and add benefits.

The big picture: Most states have enacted minimum wages exceeding the federal $7.25-an-hour rate that's been in place for nine years. But there is a wide range of hourly rates and working conditions, and none of the state minimums provides a living wage for a family, says Oxfam in a new national study. READ MORE

OFCCP Issues New Directive for Analyzing Compensation

Organizations doing business with the federal government may be subject to affirmative action requirements, overseen by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). In an effort to provide more transparency and efficiency in its compliance evaluations, the OFCCP recently issued a new directive providing information on how it will analyze contractor compensation. READ MORE

5 Tips for Developing a Compensation Strategy for Your Business

One of your goals as a small-business owner should be to recruit and develop a dedicated, hardworking team that serves the company well and contributes to its success. But if you don't put some serious thought into how you compensate your employees, you're likely to fail in that regard. That's why it's crucial to establish a well-thought-out strategy that serves your workers and your business well. Here's how to start. READ MORE