Trimming benefits because of the economy? You may want to think again

As the COVID-19 pandemic transformed the world of work over the last few years, employers across industries turned to their benefits to support—and retain—struggling employees. Childcare subsidies, beefed-up parental leave, flexible hours and more became staples at many companies, as workers navigated the new norm—and they became even more integral to retention as the Great Resignation took hold. READ MORE

The ‘best job in America’ pays over $120,000 a year —and offers a low-stress, healthy work-life balance

We’ve had the great resignation, quiet quitting, resistance to going back to the office — and now? It turns out people are looking for happiness, stability, flexibility and a good salary.

In 2023, in the wake of the worst days of the pandemic, most U.S. job switchers and others seeking employment want to land a job that at the very least keeps up with red-hot inflation and provides some level of work-life balance. But they also want to be happy. After all, most Americans spend at least eight hours a day working — many of them without paid time off. READ MORE

Here's the difference between a 'minimum wage' and 'living wage,' and why it matters

Near-historic price increases for basics like food and gas have drawn scrutiny to a question at the heart of the economy: How much money must a worker make to stay afloat?

The price of eggs has risen nearly 50% over the last year; while the cost of milk and bread have each jumped about 15%. Even after falling from a summer peak, gas prices remain 10% higher than a year ago. READ MORE

How Much Do Tech Salaries Range in California and New York?

California and New York now require companies to include salary ranges in new job postings. That transparency could have a significant impact on tech professionals’ job hunt and salary negotiation. But what are the average ranges for popular tech positions?

For a deep dive, we can turn to comprehensive.io, a new site that’s tracking salary ranges for tech jobs in California and New York. With new data added regularly, these ranges will likely shift in coming weeks; but for now, this is how much the following jobs pay on average in both states: READ MORE

Securities And Exchange Commission Adopts Final Rules On Executive Compensation Clawbacks

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted Rule 10D-11 and other rule amendments (Final Rules) as required by Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act).2 The Final Rules require national securities exchanges to adopt listing standards under which issuers must implement (and enforce) policies that require the clawback of incentive-based compensation received by any current or former executive officer during the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date of a required restatement of an issuer's filed financial statements due to the issuer's material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws. The Final Rules also affect related disclosure items, including the disclosure of executive compensation under Item 402 of Regulation S-K. READ MORE

Job Applicants Win as More States Mandate Pay Info

In the two years since Colorado became the first state to require compensation information in job postings, a growing number of pay transparency laws have been enacted in states and cities across the country.

On Jan. 1, similar laws took effect in three states—California, Rhode Island, and Washington—bringing the number of states that currently require compensation disclosures in the hiring process to seven. New York is set to join that group later this year. READ MORE

The Death Of Non-compete Agreements?

On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its proposed rule to eliminate non-compete agreements on the basis that they unduly suppress employee wages and stifle innovation and business dynamism. Whether this is a good idea or not depends upon whether you use non-competes to protect your business or whether the existence of non-competes stands in the way of you hiring quality employees. For most businesses, the proposed regulation will be a mixed bag as they want to protect their existing workforce and confidential information while at the same time have the freedom to hire desperately needed talent who are locked up by non-compete agreements. READ MORE

These states are raising their minimum wage

The current period of high inflation that has significantly impacted the US economy will also influence a New Year’s tradition: The annual state minimum wage increases.

By January 1, hourly minimum wages in 23 states will rise as part of previously scheduled efforts to reach $15 an hour or to account for cost-of-living changes. The increases account for more than $5 billion in pay boosts for an estimated 8.4 million workers, the Economic Policy Institute estimates. READ MORE

A Perk to Getting These Jobs: You Pick Your Pay

When George Melvin clinched a job as lead software engineer at Unlearn.ai this past summer, the company made him two offers. 

In the first, the base salary made up 70% of total compensation, with the rest in equity, he says. The other was 58% salary, 42% equity. Confused, he asked the San Francisco startup’s human resources department if the twin offers were a negotiating tactic.  READ MORE

Benefits and Compensation in 2022: A Look Back

Soaring inflation was the common factor behind many of the biggest headlines in the world of compensation and benefits in 2022, but other developments were on employers' minds as well, including abortion benefits in the wake of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court reversal; transparency around job salaries and wages; and employee mental health in a time of extreme global insecurity.

Here's a look at some of the year's biggest topics in compensation and benefits. READ MORE