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Compensation Trends: Modest Raises, Merit Rules

Dec. 13, 2011
Manufacturers are projected to increase salaries by 2.9%, in line with employers as a whole.

Manufacturers are expected to take a conservative approach to employee compensation in 2012. That means modest raises for employees and more hiring but not at pre-recession levels, according to Lena Bottos, vice president of compensation and strategic alliances at Kenexa.

Bottos says manufacturers are projected to increase salaries by 2.9%, in line with employers as a whole. Much of that compensation will be in the form of merit pay and bonuses -- compensation based on performance. In manufacturing, Bottos says, 48% of companies will be increasing their merit pay budgets, and 51% are increasing their budgets for bonuses.

This year, 92% of employers implemented performance-based pay programs, compared with 78% in 2005, according to Aon Hewitt's U.S. Salary Increase Survey. Why will performance-based pay plans flourish in 2012? "This pay mix creates greater motivation for employees to be productive and greater flexibility for employers to compensate based on individual and company performance, says Ken Abosch, Aon Hewitt's compensation group leader.

Kenexa's Bottos says "organizations are taking a very strong focus not only on performance but on particular skills." Concerns in the manufacturing sector about the scarcity of talent are widespread. While 39% of all employers are concerned about finding the right talent, she says, 53% of manufacturers say this is a concern.

Bottos says more conservative employers are looking for new hires with broader skill sets. "If you are not hiring at the levels you were before, then if you can find people who can take on the tasks of one or two roles, you don't have to hire as much, and you have someone who becomes a jack of all trades," she says.

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Steve Minter | Steve Minter, Executive Editor

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An award-winning editor, Executive Editor Steve Minter covers leadership, global economic and trade issues and energy, tackling subject matter ranging from CEO profiles and leadership theories to economic trends and energy policy. As well, he supervises content development for editorial products including the magazine, IndustryWeek.com, research and information products, and conferences.

Before joining the IW staff, Steve was publisher and editorial director of Penton Media’s EHS Today, where he was instrumental in the development of the Champions of Safety and America’s Safest Companies recognition programs.

Steve received his B.A. in English from Oberlin College. He is married and has two adult children.

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