THE POWER OF TOTAL REWARDS CONCEPT IN ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS

In today's dynamic workplace landscape, organizations are constantly seeking ways to attract, retain, and motivate top talent. One innovative approach gaining traction is the Total Rewards concept. Total Rewards goes beyond traditional compensation to encompass a holistic package that includes financial, non-financial, and intrinsic benefits. This blog discusses the components of Total Rewards and explores how it can elevate your organization's employee engagement.

What is the concept of Total Rewards?

The Total Rewards concept refers to a comprehensive and strategic approach to employee compensation and benefits that goes beyond traditional salary structures. It encompasses all the tools, incentives, and benefits that an organization provides to attract, retain, motivate, and engage its workforce. Total Rewards recognizes that employees are motivated by a combination of financial rewards, non-financial perks, and intrinsic motivators.

A few years back the employees mostly wanted compensation for the work done. But from the period of two years back we can see employees focus on areas such as benefits, development, and environment they get from the organization.

According to the Mercer Global Talent Trends Study done for 2022-2023, they have identified that 89% of HR Professionals agreed with improving the total rewards system is a top priority. If an organization concentrates on building a total rewards system tends to develop a motivated and engaged workforce and a strong competitive advantage. 

Commonly found elements in a total rewards system

These components can be differentiated from one organization to another.

Compensation

This refers to the financial remuneration and benefits that employees receive for their work and contributions to an organization. It is a crucial component of the broader Total Rewards framework, which aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated approach to attracting, retaining, and motivating employees. The following are main components of the compensation.

Benefits

Benefits are an important component of a Total Rewards system that goes beyond traditional financial compensation. They include a variety of non-monetary perks and services designed to improve employees' overall well-being and satisfaction. Benefits include the following components:

  • Healthcare benefits
  • Retirement benefits
  • Paid time off
  • Life insurance
  • Flexible saving accounts
  • Health saving accounts
  • Life Insurance and disability coverage
  • Childcare assistance

Wellbeing

This includes the wholistic wellbeing of the employees covering their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Providing robust healthcare benefits is a foundation of employee wellbeing. When the organization provides a wholistic approach of wellbeing, the employees will be more satisfied, engaged, and productive.

Recognition

It goes beyond traditional compensation and benefits, acknowledging and appreciating employees for their contributions to the organization. Recognition is a powerful tool that enhances job satisfaction, engagement, and overall employee morale. Recognition can take various forms, ranging from simple verbal praise and thank-you notes to more formal mechanisms such as employee awards, certificates, and public acknowledgment during team meetings or company-wide events.


Learning & Development

Refer to the strategic investment in the growth, skill enhancement, and career advancement of employees as an integral part of the overall compensation and benefits package. It recognizes that opportunities for continuous learning and professional development are valued by employees and contribute significantly to their overall job satisfaction and engagement. Following methods can be used to provide rewards relevant to learning and development: Training programs, professional development opportunities, career advancement pathways, tuition reimbursement, skill development programs, leadership development, cross training and job rotation, learning management systems, feedback and coaching, knowledge sharing and many more systems.

Work life balance

Refers to the equilibrium and harmony that exists between an employee's professional responsibilities and their personal life. It is an essential component of an organization's overall compensation and benefits package, recognizing that employees value the ability to balance work commitments with personal and family obligations. An organization can provide flexible work arrangements, remote work opportunities, generous paid time offs, wellness programs, support for caregivers, training on time management for employees to enhance work life balance.

Culture

Refers to the shared values, beliefs, behaviors, and norms within an organization that shape the work environment and influence how employees interact with one another and with the organization itself. Culture is a critical aspect of the overall compensation and benefits strategy, as it plays a significant role in attracting, retaining, and motivating employees. Culture of an organization comprises of important aspects like values and beliefs, workplace behaviors, norms, communication style, recognition practices, diversity, and inclusivity etc... A positive culture will always contribute positively to the employee engagement and motivation.

Leadership

Refers to the role that organizational leaders play in shaping, communicating, and implementing the comprehensive compensation and benefits strategy. Effective leadership is essential for ensuring that the Total Rewards program aligns with the organization's mission, values, and goals while promoting employee engagement and satisfaction. Strategy alignment, communication and transparency, value integration, employee engagement, performance management and innovation are key factors for a positive leadership style to help total rewards system.

Advantages of a total rewards system

  1. Improve the ability to attract top talent.
  2. Help the organization to retain the current employees and improve loyalty.
  3. Improved engagement and motivation of the workforce.
  4. Improved performance and productivity.
  5. Contribute to a positive workplace culture.
  6. Enhances employee skills and capabilities through learning and development programs.
  7. Provides a cost-effective approach to talent management.

In conclusion, a Total Rewards system stands as a transformative approach to shaping the future of work, elevating employee experiences, and propelling organizational success. It goes beyond traditional compensation structures, offering a holistic package that values employees in multifaceted ways. By embracing this comprehensive approach, organizations not only attract and retain top talent but also create a workplace where employees are motivated, engaged, and aligned with the company's mission.

Madusha Perera

2023


References

Howington, J., 2023. Flexjobs. [Online]
Available at: https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/work-life-balance-or-better-pay-two-thirds-choose-balance/
[Accessed 10 December 2023].

Mercer, 2023. Global Talent Trends, New York: Mercer.

Sharma, S., 2023. ET HRWorld. [Online]
Available at: https://hrsea.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/unleashing-the-key-elements-of-a-total-rewards-strategy/103912676
[Accessed 10 December 2023].

Test, L., 2023. Lattice. [Online]
Available at: https://lattice.com/library/what-are-employee-total-rewards-and-why-should-your-company-implement-them
[Accessed 10 December 2023].

Verma, L., 2021. Human Capital. [Online]
Available at: https://humancapitalonline.com/Talent/details/2815/total-rewards-strategies-for-the-postcovid-future-of-work
[Accessed 10 December 2023].

 



Comments

  1. Very useful information and shows insights of a new path for employee rewards.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good insight to provide knowledge on rewarding employees in many different ways. Understood that there are many ways to appreciate and reward employees out of traditional payout system. It extends to non monetary values too and it's a top eye catching for me. See a great effort has been made to provide with more statically proven ideas and is highly appreciated.
    Great work . Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. For organizational success this topic will be very practical and Thanks for sharing such a great information.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Appreciate the emphasis given on the rewarding concept in this blog. The Total Rewards concept is a strategic cornerstone in achieving organizational success. This blog elucidates the holistic approach to employee compensation, encompassing financial and non-financial incentives. Understanding and effectively implementing this concept aligns organizational goals with employee needs, fostering engagement, retention, and ultimately driving sustained performance and success."

    ReplyDelete
  5. Every Employees expect to goes beyond traditional salary structures. concept of total rewards system plays a vital role in this mission .As per your post clearly explain common elements in the system including compensation ,benefits including health and well being ,work life balance etc.As per your conclusion I agree that total rewards system is the transformative approach to shaping the future of work.Excellent article !!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your creativity knows no bounds. Can't wait to see what fascinating insights your next post unveils. Keep dazzling us with your brilliance! ✨"

    ReplyDelete

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