AC 1.2 Explain how policy initiatives and practices are implemented
Guideline
Reward policies and practices serve as a cornerstone for an organization’s capability to realize its goals and objectives. These policies are instrumental in fostering a motivated workforce, accomplished by incorporating the following key principles:
- Embracing the “felt-fair” principles to ensure that employees perceive the reward system as equitable and just.
- Navigating the complex terrain of external reward competitiveness versus maintaining internal equity in compensation and rewards for all organization employees.
- Enacting protection policies to safeguard the interests of both the organization and its employees.
- Promoting a culture of collaboration and active involvement during the implementation of reward policies and practices, ensuring a sense of inclusivity and shared ownership.
AC 1.3 Explain how people and organisational performance can impact the approach to reward
Guideline
To begin, students will commence by establishing a clear definition of performance measurement. Following this, they will proceed to expound upon the efficacy of performance assessment, shedding light on its impact both on employees and the organization as a whole. Notable performance-related issues that significantly shape the approach to rewards include:
- The pervasive influence of external pressures and competitive dynamics on the reward strategies implemented within the organization.
- Historical expectations that have evolved over time from employees and other stakeholders within the organization.
- The legislative framework surrounding reward fairness and equity plays a pivotal role in shaping reward policies.
- The determination of rewards based on factors such as working hours and employees’ accomplishments, adds another layer of complexity to the reward equation.
AC 1.4 Compare the different types of benefits offered by organisations and the merits of each
Guideline
Students provide an insightful exploration of various organizational benefits, encompassing:
- Performance-related pay
- Compensation for achieved results
- Employee share ownership
- The provision of bonus schemes, such as commissions, pension plans, healthcare benefits, sick pay, insurance coverage, redundancy packages, company cars, loans, statutory maternity, paternity, and adoption leave and pay, as well as childcare support, among other incentives.
- Recommendations for budgetary and resource allocation adjustments.
- Factors that underlie individual perspectives on what constitutes significance in the context of implemented reward strategies.
In addition, students elucidate the advantages of these benefits, which encompass:
- Elevated levels of employee engagement.
- Heightened motivation and commitment among employees.
- Considerations to attract talented individuals to the organization.
AC 1.5 Assess the contribution of extrinsic and intrinsic rewards to improving employee contribution and sustained organisational performance
Guideline
Extrinsic rewards are concrete, often financial, incentives provided to employees by employers. These include elements like salaries, pay increases, bonuses, and various financial perks. In contrast, intrinsic rewards are intangible and rooted in psychological factors, emanating from within the individual rather than being externally bestowed by employers.
Both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards play a pivotal role in shaping employee engagement and long-term commitment, as they impact various facets of workplace dynamics, including:
- Equity: Ensuring fairness and balance in rewards systems.
- Teamwork: Fostering collaborative and cohesive team dynamics.
- Support from Senior Management: Encouraging endorsement and backing from top-level leadership.
- Motivation and Engagement: Cultivating motivation and active participation among employees.
- Linking Behaviors to Achievements: Establishing a connection between individual efforts and tangible accomplishments.
AC 2.1 Assess the business context of the reward environment
Guideline
Students embark on their exploration by elucidating the intricacies of the reward environment, a context defined by a comprehensive analysis of factors such as business activity levels and overall confidence within the organization. Furthermore, students delve into the economic outlook, a critical determinant of the reward environment’s landscape. They also take into account various other influencers within the business sphere, including:
- Reward Packages: A consideration of the organization’s compensation structures.
- Legislation Pertaining to Pay Equality: An examination of laws and regulations governing equitable compensation.
- Pay Reviews and Trends: An assessment of periodic salary evaluations and emerging trends.
- Cultural Drivers Impacting the Reward Environment: An analysis of cultural elements that shape the reward landscape.
Additionally, students conduct a thorough assessment of the internal and external factors that exert influence on the broader business context of the reward environment. This includes factors such as:
- Psychological Contract: An evaluation of the unwritten expectations and obligations between employers and employees.
- Collective Bargaining and Pay Determination: An examination of the process by which compensation rates are collectively negotiated.
- Pay Regulations and Competitiveness: A consideration of regulatory frameworks and the organization’s competitiveness in terms of compensation.
- Labor Market Dynamics and Human Capital: An exploration of labour market conditions and the organization’s human resource assets.
AC 2.2 Evaluate the most appropriate ways in which benchmarking data can be gathered and measured to develop insight
Guideline
Benchmarking involves the systematic comparison of an organization’s data with data from competing firms. People professionals view salary benchmarking as a valuable approach for gaining insights that can inform more informed decision-making regarding employee compensation and benefits packages.
In order to carry out benchmarking effectively, professionals should follow several key steps, including sourcing relevant intelligence, assessing the reliability and measurability of data to improve decision-making, conducting comprehensive reward and salary surveys, and leveraging government surveys and statistical data to enhance compensation decisions.