Compensation Considerations for the New Year!
Good news for the New Year: the projected total salary budget increase for the Washington, DC metropolitan area in 2010 is 3%[1], which is slightly higher than the projected increase in other major metropolitan areas across the U.S. (averaging 2.8-2.9%). This is also an increase from the actual total salary budget increase in 2009, which was 2.2% for the Washington, DC metropolitan, and even lower for other major metropolitan areas, which ranged from 1.6% to 2.0%.
Recent market conditions make employer-employee communication more important than ever. However, while many companies increased their employee communication efforts about pay, benefits and business performance in general during the recession, few companies plan to do the same as they prepare for an eventual market rebound:
Watson Wyatt suggests that as the pace of change slows and recovery draws near, it is more important than ever to explain the rationale underlying decisions and communicate to workers about the changes that affect them the most.[2]
Please contact us at Helios HR for help with your 2010 compensation strategy implementation. www.helioshr.com or 703-860-3882 x105.
1WorldatWork 2009-10 Salary Budget Survey
2009 Trends During This Holiday Season
In a recent annual survey conducted by Challenger, Gray, and Christmas, only 62% of organizations responded that they will continue with holiday parties this year, down from 77% in 2008 and 90% in 2007.
Employers may want to consider the message a lavish holiday party sends. If it has been a challenging year, then any additional expenditure should reflect that. Some companies are holding a modest lunch rather than an elaborate dinner. Pot luck gatherings at the office and parties hosted in executive homes are increasing in popularity as well.
There is also renewed interest in targeted efforts to give back to the community during this holiday season. Charitable giving is an opportunity for team building and supporting the local community. Join Helios HR in our efforts to give back to the community! For the fifth consecutive year, Helios HR is teaming with clients, colleagues, neighbors and Reston Interfaith in collecting winter coats to help fill the Hunter Mill District Coat Closet for adults and children in need of winter coats. Join us in our efforts to exceed the 1,300+ coats our collective efforts provided last year!
Helios will support the coat drive through January 2010. Here is how you can help:
Reston Interfaith Coat Closet to: Helios HR 12007 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 420 Reston, VA 20191 Attention: Coat Drive
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More good news for top talent: merit increase awards continue to focus on rewarding high performers, a trend that is expected to continue. The average merit increase estimated for high performers in 2009 is 3.4%, while middle performers are estimated to receive 2.3% and low performers that receive a merit increase are expected to receive 1.7%. 
Many organizations this holiday season are scaling back their traditional holiday parties and are also leading renewed efforts to give back to the community. | Issue 24 | December 2009 |
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The Apollo Awards™ pre-event workshop will be held on January 12th at the Crowne Plaza in Tysons Corner, where we will reveal the 2010 nomination form. Come learn what it takes to get your nomination noticed! Register Here.
Nominations for the 2010 Apollo Awards™ open on January 26th! The Apollo Awards™ recognize organizations that promote employee development. The winners will be announced at the awards breakfast on June 3rd.
Download your copy of our 2009 Best Practices white paper here.
Check out the Helios blog! Have a topic you'd like to see us write about? Have a challenge you'd like addressed? We encourage you to check out the Helios HR blog and let us hear from you!
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