Ken Abosch

We may never see base salary increases in the mid-to-upper 4 percent range again.

We may never see base salary increases in the mid-to-upper 4 percent range again.

Variable pay is designed to help employees concentrate on company goals and objectives, while eliminating 'entitlement' issues that often arise read more

Variable pay is designed to help employees concentrate on company goals and objectives, while eliminating 'entitlement' issues that often arise with a holiday bonus.

They're seeing that as a way to reduce their costs in some places. Some might think employers are taking a read more

They're seeing that as a way to reduce their costs in some places. Some might think employers are taking a Scrooge mentality, but they're putting it into a different form.

The good news is that after seeing very significant reduced spending overall, companies are projecting a slight recovery for 2003.

The good news is that after seeing very significant reduced spending overall, companies are projecting a slight recovery for 2003.

Most employees view base salary as a barometer of their worth, so thinking about a steady decrease in the amount read more

Most employees view base salary as a barometer of their worth, so thinking about a steady decrease in the amount of money being provided to them has had a psychological impact. That's why organizations looked to variable pay as a way to counteract that -- until recently.