Compensation and Benefits

Answer each question. Make sure the questions are numbered and the question is written out in your final copy.

10-1.Except for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the remaining legally required benefits were conceived decades ago. What changes in the business environment and society might affect the relevance or perhaps the viability of any of these benefits? Discuss your ideas.

10-2.Describe the principles of fee-for-service plans and managed care plans. What are the similarities and differences?

10-3.What are some of the choices an employer may make to help control health care costs? Explain.

10-4.In what ways may legally required benefits have contributed to an employee entitlement mentality regarding discretionary benefit offerings? Explain your rationale.

10-5.How do legally required benefits relate to a company’s competitive advantage? And, which benefit do you feel is most impactful? Explain.

11-1.What can be done to make the function of compensation committees consistent with shareholders’ interests? Explain.

11-2.Which component of compensation is most essential to motivate executives to lead companies toward competitive advantage? Discuss your rationale.

11-3.Do you believe that say on pay should be a binding vote rather than an advisory vote? Explain.

11-4.What are the differences between enhanced benefits and perquisites?

11-5.Do you feel that executive pay is fair or unfair? Explain.

12-1.What are some of the problems that companies are likely to face when both contingent workers and core employees work in the same location? Does it matter whether contingent workers and core employees are performing the same jobs? Explain your answer.

12-2.What are some of the possible drawbacks for companies that employ temporary workers? Do you believe that these drawbacks outweigh the cost savings? Explain.

12-3.What arguments can be made in favor of using compressed workweek schedules for companies that pursue lowest-cost strategies? What are the arguments against using compressed workweek schedules in such situations? Explain.

12-4.What impact will flexible work schedules have on employees’ commitment to their employers? On employee productivity? On company effectiveness? Explain.

12-5.Should companies limit telecommuting arrangements to some job groups rather than to all groups? Explain.