Compensation Trends: 10 Articles Worth the Read

Welcome to the fifth edition of the “compensation corral” – a monthly round-up summarizing 10 topically relevant articles in compensation trends.

The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) went into effect on May 25, 2018. The GDPR has been a hot topic in the HR industry lately. And compliance, salary history inquiry bans, and artificial intelligence (AI) lead the conversation.

Here’s the top 10 articles we feel are worth the click:

1) Smart Trend: Tips to Ensure Your Compensation Plan Is Compliant with the Law

When creating a pay plan, it's not just the employer and employee who must agree that it's fair. The government, both federal and state, also has a say in what is equitable. It's important to follow the law or face costly penalties.

Need a refresher course on some federal and local labor laws to be mindful of? Our blog post can help you review the basics.

2) Job Seeker Nation Study

The 2018 Job Seeker Nation Study surveyed 1,500 American job seekers. It examined the relationship between recruiters and candidates, the expectations on both sides, and what a successful hiring journey looks like. In summary, findings suggest there are new standards, worries, and goals for both job seekers and employers.

Dig deeper into the findings of the 2018 Job Seeker Nation Study.

3) Court: Philly Salary History Ban Violates Free Speech, but Firms Can't Use Data to Underpay

Compensation trends that inform you of your legal obligations are very important. To demonstrate, take a look a this crucial ruling.

A federal judge ruled that Philadelphia's ban on employers asking job candidates about their past salaries is unconstitutional. However, the judge agreed that the city could still stop employers from using salary history to set pay, if it means they’ll get less than others with similar experience and responsibilities.

Read more about this case and the constitutionality of the salary history inquiry ban.

4) Special Compensation Trend: Why You Need to Pay Attention to Gen X Leaders

Gen Xers are often overlooked and overshadowed by the larger generations that came before and after them. But they have some unique leadership attributes and their influence is growing in the working world.

Learn more about how this group’s cross-generational strengths are impacting the workforce.

5) GDPR Says Companies Must Have a Data Privacy Officer. Who Should That Be?

US employers that must comply with the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation must appoint a data protection officer if they process large amounts of personal data. They must also notify the European Union within 72 hours if there is a data breach. But there is no real guidance on what that means, according to Philip Yannella, an attorney with Ballard Spahr in Philadelphia.

Read more about the requirements of GDPR.

6) Compensation Trend in Hiring: Tech Recruiting Report

HackerRank surveyed nearly 1,000 technical recruiters and hiring managers to understand the biggest priorities, pain points, and opportunities in hiring software developers. The survey also found that the difficulty of finding qualified candidates is the same regardless of company size or role.

Check out more of HackerRank’s findings.

7) Employee Turnover: Calculating the Real Cost

There’s always a slew of numbers floating around the internet claiming to represent the amount of money companies lose when one of their employees quits. While there’s no doubt turnover is extremely pricey, the actual money lost is going to vary depending on data points unique to your organization.

Find out the real cost of employee turnover as it relates to your organization.

8) Skill Shift Automation and the Future of the Workforce

Automation and AI are changing how we work. According to McKinsey Global Institute, new research suggests automation is sparking a shift in demand for workforce skills and how work is organized within companies.

Learn more about how demand for workforce skills is shifting due to automation.

9) State of California: Labor and Workforce Development Agency Announces Record Number of Apprentices

California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary David M. Lanier announced that there are nearly 82,000 active apprentices in California, and the state is on track to reach 100,000 by the end of 2020. This is the highest number in the 79-year history of formal apprenticeship job training in California.

Read more about how California is strengthening apprenticeship opportunities in the state.

10) Employees Who Use Social Media for Work Are More Engaged — but Also More Likely to Leave Their Jobs

In a new study, Harvard Business Review found that employees using social media were more likely to be engaged at work, but they are also more likely to leave an organization. When it comes to engagement, social media users tend to be more motivated and come up with creative ideas, but they are also more likely to engage with potential new employers than their less social peers.