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The IDEAL Workplace
Working IDEAL provides trusted, effective and innovative advice on inclusive workplaces, diverse talent and fair pay to large and small companies, universities, non-profits, unions and other organizations across the nation.
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Rethinking “Merit” Increases: How Pay for Performance Can Perpetuate Bias and Fail to Reward Merit
/in Pay Equity/by The Team at Working IDEALMany employers attempt to provide some form of “merit”-based pay using performance factors for base pay increases, bonuses, and other forms of compensation. This approach to compensation is typically well-intended. Employers want to motivate employees to improve their performance, to reward high performers, and to attract and retain top talent. Unfortunately, merit increases are a […]
Five tips for employers to set geographic pay differentials: A growing consideration for remote workforces
/in Pay Equity/by Sarah CrawfordEmployers with operations in multiple locations have long grappled with concerns about how to handle compensation. Employers often offer geographic pay differentials, by adjusting base pay with locality pay to account for variations in the cost of labor and the cost of living. With increasing numbers of employees working remotely, many employers are facing new […]
A Call to Leadership for America’s Employers as the Supreme Court Considers Affirmative Action in College Admissions
/in DEI, Principals/by Pamela CoukosPamela Coukos and Cyrus Mehri, Co-Founders of Working IDEAL Updated June 30: Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled against Harvard and the University of North Carolina in the case about affirmative action in college admissions. This is a deeply disappointing decision that goes against decades of precedent — and despite long standing support from the employer […]
Working IDEAL Supports Proposal to Update Federal Standards for Collection of Race and Ethnicity Information
/in News/by The Team at Working IDEALOn April 27, 2023, Working IDEAL submitted comments regarding a proposal to update federal standards for the collection of race and ethnicity information. These standards have not been updated since 1997. Working IDEAL supports efforts to modernize reporting of race and ethnicity information, particularly as they relate to the collection of workforce demographic data. For […]
9 Tips for Employers to Develop a Model EEO Complaint Policy and Procedure
/in Policy, Workplace Harassment/by Sarah CrawfordAuthor: Sarah Crawford To prevent and address discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace, employers must provide effective policies and procedures. An effective policy sets expectations about behavior, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the complaint and investigation process. Investigations should be conducted in a timely manner, and determinations should be communicated to the parties. […]
Rethinking Unpaid Internships: Equity Upon Entry to the Workforce
/in DEI, Pay Equity/by The Team at Working IDEALAuthors: Joelle Min and Sarah Crawford Young people across the country often pursue internships with hopes of return offers and greater career opportunities once graduation comes along. In 2022, internships are of greater importance as the height of the pandemic last year canceled almost half of internship opportunities. Often, students are expected to be grateful […]