Cash Compensation Changes in Light of the Current Economic Crisis
Journal of Compensation and Benefits, Jul/Aug, pp. 5-13 (2020)
9 Pages Posted: 4 Nov 2020
Date Written: June 1, 2020
Abstract
This article focuses on cash compensation, which includes base salaries and annual bonuses (also referred to as “short-term incentives”). As of the outset of this current economic crisis (early April 2020), the state of change is as follows: Many companies have already begun reducing base salaries—particularly at the executive level and in some cases extending to outside directors and even the broadbased employee population; and, while the vast majority of companies (especially those with a calendar year end) have not yet made any changes to their short-term incentive plans that were put in place prior to mid-March, boards are likely to begin announcing plans to materially change the performance metrics, goals (or targets) and corresponding payout schedules used in these plans.
Keywords: Executive Compensation, Incentive, CEO
JEL Classification: G,J,L
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation