Research: Gender Pay Gaps Shrink When Companies Are Required to Disclose Them

Government-mandated reporting of gender pay discrepancies has been a subject of much debate in the last 5-10 years. Those arguing for legislation to require such reporting say that it will help to address the persistent gender wage gap. Opponents insist that not only is that unlikely; it will also increase companies’ administrative burden and decrease profits. Until recently there has been no strong evidence to support either side. READ MORE

Investing in Low-Wage Jobs Is the Wrong Way to Reduce Migration

Amid today’s global immigration crises, wealthy governments are seeking ways to keep out newcomers. Border security measures (typically more sophisticated than U.S. President Donald Trump’s wall) are often first on the list. But other ideas are gaining adherents as well. In the European Union and elsewhere, policymakers are betting that investment and trade will reduce migration from less developed countries. Put money into export-oriented jobs where the would-be workers are, the theory goes, and fewer will leave in search of opportunities elsewhere. READ MORE

Raising the Minimum Wage Will Cut Entry-Level Jobs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 80 million hourly paid workers in the United States. Only 221,000 hourly paid workers age 25 or over earn the federal minimum wage. That’s 0.27 percent, an extremely small number. Moreover, most people in minimum wage jobs remain in them for less than a year. They typically work at that level for a relatively brief training period before their pay goes up. READ MORE

IRS Issues Guidance on Executive Compensation Excise Tax for Tax-Exempt Organizations

n Notice 2019-09, issued December 31, 2018 (the “Notice”), Treasury and the IRS have provided interim guidance on the excise tax on certain executive compensation arrangements under section 4960 of the Internal Revenue Code. This new provision was enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act at the end of 2017. The Notice, which spans more than ninety pages, is primarily structured in a question and answer format and clarifies many ambiguities in section 4960. The Notice requests comments by April 2, 2019. READ MORE

Three performance management trends to shake up 2019

In HR we need to stay up to date with the latest performance management trends. It's the only real way to ensure we're motivating and encouraging our team in the most effective way. As the years go by, our knowledge of human psychology advances. On top of this, each generation is motivated and driven by different factors. If we don't keep up, our companies fall behind and in this great war for talent we'll lose out to our more forward-thinking competitors. READ MORE

IRS Provides Interim Guidance on Tax on High Nonprofit CEO Compensation

Remember that tax bill passed by Congress in 2017? Built into that bill was the imposition of an excise tax for nonprofit organizations paying employees in excess of $1 million. (If you need a reminder, please read this, which NPQ published almost exactly one year ago.) Now, the IRS has released Notice 2019-09, a document meant to provide “interim guidance” regarding this new legislation (known as section 4960), while the Treasury Department and the IRS further develop its application. READ MORE

Performance management – getting it right

Acas recently published a report entitled "Improvement Required?" which contained the results of research into employers' use of performance management systems. Performance management systems are processes which aim to maintain and improve employee performance in line with the goals and objectives of a business. Acas found that most of the businesses it consulted did not use any kind of performance management system (this was particularly the case for smaller businesses) and did not feel that they needed one. Only a quarter of respondents were able to confirm that their performance management systems were customised for staff with special needs, disabilities and neurological conditions. In response to its findings, Acas has called for organisations to increase the fairness and inclusivity of their systems and has published new guidance on performance management which can be found here. READ MORE