In this article, we will cover the different situation types that may arise in SameWorks, and how you can resolve them.
SameWorks has three different situation types:
- Same Role, Different Pay
- Higher Level, Lower Pay
- Same Role, Different Variable Comp % (Bonus)
Situations will be automatically flagged by the system during your initial data import. We will automatically consolidate all individuals into a single situation where applicable to make it as easy as possible for you to resolve them holisitically.
If you make a change to an individual’s pay due to a situation, the system will automatically re-check to see if that has resolved the situation, or if it still exists.
Situations are resolved once you are able to adjust all necessary employees, or justify them with exceptions.
Same Role, Different Pay
- What it means: Two or more employees in the same role (a combination of location, department, title and level) are paid differently. In order to be certified, you need to justify the difference with a legitimate exception, or make an adjustment.
- How to resolve:
- Via Exception: Choose the exception that applies best to each individual, and make a statement about why that exception is justified for that individual. You can read our article about how to make exceptions.
- Via Adjustment: Enter the updated title, level, and/or salary for the appropriate employee(s). Once they have achieved equity, the situation will be resolved, and adjustments will be added to the total tally.
Higher Level, Lower Pay
- What it means: An employee at a lower level (lesser role), is paid more than an employee at a higher level. This is inequitable.
- How to resolve:
- Via Exception: Note that the exceptions for this category are very limited. In general, we believe that this should be handled by re-leveling these employees appropriately. That might not always be possible, so we are open to understanding individual cases, but reserve the right to reject any that are inequitable.
- Via Adjustment: Enter the updated title, level, and/or salary for the appropriate employee(s). Once they have achieved equity, the situation will be resolved, and adjustments will be added to the total tally.
Same Role, Different Variable Comp % (Bonus)
- What it means: Two individuals with the same role do not have the same opportunity to earn the same amount of variable compensation in their role. If there is a disparity, then that difference needs to be justifiable based on merit, tenure, experience, or other reasons.
- How to resolve:
- Via Exception: Choose the exception that applies best to each individual, and make a statement about why that exception is justified for that individual. You can read our article about how to make exceptions.
- Via Adjustment: Enter the updated variable compensation for the appropriate employee(s).