Creating a Variable Pay Plan

Course Number:75
Category:Variable Pay
Field of Study:Management Services
Audience:Compensation Professionals, HR Managers, HR Generalists
Level of Difficulty:Intermediate
Delivery Method:QAS Self Study
Prerequisites: Moderate algebraic training
Advanced Preparation:None
SHRM BASK:As defined by the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (BASK), this self-study course relates to competencies in Business Analysis and Data Analysis with functional areas in Total Rewards.
OverviewVariable pay plans provide flexible and responsive pay strategies that may be used to lower costs when organizations are experiencing hard times. They may also be used to enhance organization performance and employee loyalty. This course will focus on different kinds of short-term incentive plans, what needs to be taken into consideration to successfully implement a plan and how to avoid common pitfalls. Plans can be designed for different stages of an organization’s life cycle, and we will look at how to determine if an incentive plan is right for your organization.
Learning Objectives:
  • Specify how variable pay plans can lessen the impact of an economic downturn
  • Differentiate between different kinds of variable pay plans
  • Recognize why incentive plans can fail and what is needed for them to succeed
  • Identify the four business life cycles and how they can determine which incentive plans are used
  • Specify how to determine which variable pay plans may work in your organization
  • Recognize how a variable pay plan can lead to greater employee engagement and organization performance
  • Differentiate between piecework, standard hour, measured day work, discretionary bonuses, and gainsharing
  • Recognize deferred plans, cash plans, and combination plans
  • Specify how to design a large group incentive plan
  • Determine employee incentive plan payout allocations
Credit & Professional
Continuing
Education Information:
  • SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP Credit Information:

    ERI Distance Learning Center is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. This program is valid for 1.5 PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.

    SHRM Preferred Provider
  • aPHR/PHR/SPHR/GPHR Credit Information:

    ERI Distance Learning Center is a recognized provider of recertification credits. The HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) has pre-approved this activity for 1.5 HR (General) credit hour(s) towards aPHR, PHR®, SPHR®, and GPHR® recertification.

    HRCI Approved Provider
    HR Certification Institute’s® (www.HRCI.org) official seal confirms that ERI Distance Learning Center meets the criteria for pre-approved recertification credit(s) for any of HRCI’s eight credentials, including SPHR® and PHR®.
  • CCP/CBP/GRP/WLCP Credit Information:

    This online course qualifies for recertification credit for the Certified Compensation Professional (CCP®), Certified Benefits Professional® (CBP), Global Remuneration Professional (GRP®), and Work-Life Certified Professional (WLCP®) designations granted by WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals. For more information on recertification, visit the Society website at www.worldatworksociety.org.

  • CPE QAS Self Study Credit Information:

    National Registry QAS Self Study - Course approved for 1.5 credit(s) in these states:

    Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming

    Course approved for 1 credit(s) in Vermont

Additional Information:
*The Course Credit List displays credits and credit types offered by location.
World at Work
CPE Sponsors - Registry
CPE Sponsors - QAS
CAC
CCC

ERI Economic Research Institute is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®