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What’s Being Used to Attract and Retain U.S. Employees

by
Todd Raphael
Aug 27, 2008, 12:51 pm ET

WorldatWork surveyed more than 2,700 organizations; members are employed in the HR, compensation, and benefits departments of mostly large North American companies.

Programs Used to Attract and Retain Employees in the U.S.

2004
(n=2,308)

2005
(n=2,286)

2006
(n=2,251)

2007
(n=2,136)

2008
(n=2,288)

Sign-on/hiring bonus

61% 64% 69% 70% 70%

Employee referral bonus

63% 63% 65% 66% 69%

Market adjustments/
increase to base salary

55% 60% 64% 65% 65%

Flexible work schedules

62% 63%
-Flextime 51%

-Compressed work week

27%

-Telecommuting/
telework

30% 42%

-Job sharing

12% 14% 13%

Spot bonus (individual)

43% 43% 45% 46% 45%

Retention/stay bonus

27% 30% 35% 38% 38%

Part-time employment with benefits

28% 32% 37%

Paying above market

25% 28% 30% 29% 31%

Stock option program

27% 25% 24% 23% 22%

Stock grant programs

7% 10% 16% 21% 20%

Project milestone/
completion bonus

16% 17% 18% 21% 18%

Special cash bonus/
group incentives

17% 19% 20% 20% 19%

Separate salary structures

13% 12% 13% 15% 15%

Exempt overtime pay or time off

14% 15% 13% 14% 14%

Larger merit increase budgets

7% 9% 10% 11% 9%

Phased retirement

4% 6% 6%

Paid sabbaticals

3% 3% 2% 3% 3%

This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to offer specific legal advice. You should consult your legal counsel regarding any threatened or pending litigation.

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