2022 Midyear Pay Increases: The Right and Wrong Way  

2022 Midyear Pay Increases: The Right and Wrong Way  

It is no secret that higher costs of living and rising inflation have affected the market. Just take your vehicle to the nearest gas station and squeal as you see the numbers spin. The U.S. inflation rate reached 8.6% in May, becoming a 40-year-high. Add in a dash of market competitiveness and retention concerns and the pressure for companies to keep up with rising prices is on. 

In a recent article, SHRM noted a survey of 337 U.S. companies by pay consultancy Pearl Myer finding that about one-third of organizations are considering or planning to provide mid-year salary increases in 2022: 

23 percent of companies are planning midyear salary adjustments in addition to their annually scheduled pay increases. 

An additional 8 percent are considering this action. 

“It is very unusual to see so many companies planning a second round of adjustments,” said Rebecca Toman, vice president of the survey business unit at Pearl Meyer, based near Boston. “Normally, budgets are set well in advance for an annual rise. This is further indication that a shift is occurring—at least for now—when it comes to setting pay for the established workforce.” 

Why are raises occurring?  

The most prevalent factors for wage increase in 2022 are retention concerns, higher cost of living and rising inflation, internal equity and salary compression, high turnover rates, shortage of labor and market competitiveness. This perfect storm resulted in organizations raising salaries and benefits to retain and attract talent within their industries.  

At The Richmond Group USA, we believe there is a right and wrong way to give a raise. When thinking about giving a raise, ask yourself:  

How do you decide who to give a raise to and how much? Do you have a compensation strategy plan for your employees? Are you reactively or proactively giving this raise? Are you adjusting salaries based on annual merit raises and COLA factors? Are you structuring your pay system and processes?  

Raises are customary, though we believe having a thorough discussion and tying a raise to agreed-upon goals is more rational and less arbitrary. Don’t put yourself in a compensation mess just to compete with the market. This will negatively affect you and your employees. Ensure you have a strategy and plan to give deserved raises to employees systematically. 

Disconnection throughout your organization creates conflicts, if you are paying your employees what they deserve and giving raises routinely based on performance – you won’t find your company needing to compete.  

We base our practices on being proactive, not reactive – resulting in a greater overall impact. 

Have a plan so that the reasons you adjust salaries are creating impact and value among your employees and business. Use pay increases to set targets, goals and objectives, don’t just check off a box and add a number. Create a roadmap together. 

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