COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE CODE: 1529-078
COURSE TITLE: COMPENSATION
INSTRUCTOR: Tony Kerekes, CHRL, Phone: 416-997-0006
E-mail: tony.kerekes@utoronto.ca
Feel free to email and/or ask at the beginning/end of the webinar.
DAY/TIME:
January 21, 2025 to April 15, 2025
WEBINAR SCHEDULE:
Tuesdays at 7:30PM - 9:00PM, Jan 21 – April 15, 2024
REQUIRED TEXT(S): Singh & Long, 2022, Strategic Compensation in Canada (7 th
Edition, Tophat, ISBN-13: 978-1-77412-844-2
RECOMMENDED TEXT(S) AND OTHER RESOURCES: N/A
PREREQUISITE(S)/ RECOMMENDATIONS: N/A
CERTIFICATE(S): This course is applicable to the following SCS Certificates:


Human Resources
Human Resources Management Essentials
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Successful organizations need well-designed and well-managed compensation systems
to attract, retain and motivate workers. This course will teach you the theory and
practice of compensation. You'll learn how systems are designed and used to align
individual goals with team or organizational goals. You'll also learn about the objectives
of a compensation program and the connection between compensation and business
strategies, how wages and salaries are determined, and issues and problems in
incentive systems.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:




Understand the role of the compensation system in building and applying
organizational strategy.
Find the right compensation strategy for a given organization.
Determine how appropriate pay and incentive packages affect human behaviour.
Evaluate the success of a compensation system.
1
ASSOCIATIONS: This course is recognized by:


National Payroll Institute (NPA)
Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA)
For more information, please visit: https://learn.utoronto.ca/programs-and-courses/associationpartnerships
COURSE FORMAT:
Course Format
Definition
Online with Real Time Meetings
Instructor-led online learning that may include:
-Synchronous learning activities such as webinars that
are also recorded
-Asynchronous learning activities
-Peer to peer interaction, group work
-Pre-defined schedule with firm start and end dates
COURSE PLAN:
MODULES
DATE
1
Jan 21
2
Jan 28
3
Feb 4
TOPIC/LESSONS/WEBINARS
Introduction and a Road Map to
Effective
Compensation/Rewards
1.1 Introduction to Course and
Learners
1.2 Introduction to
Compensation
1.3 A Strategic Framework for
Compensation / Total Rewards
A Behavioural Framework for
Compensation Strategy
2.1 Reward Systems and
Behaviour
2.2 Dissatisfaction with Rewards
2.3 Organizational Identification
and Behaviour
2.4 Base Pay Methods
Designing Indirect Pay Plans
3.1 Indirect Pay and Mandatory
Benefits
3.2 Retirement Plans
3.3 Health Benefits
3.4 Pay for Time Not Worked
3.5 Benefit Systems/Flex
READINGS, ASSIGNMENTS,
ACTIVITIES, ETC.
Welcome/Intro
Chapters 1 &2
Chapters 3 & 4
Quiz 1
Chapter 12
2
4
Feb 11
5
Feb 18
6
Feb 25
7
Mar 4
8
Mar 11
9
Mar 18
Mar 25
10
April 1
Performance Pay Choices
4.1 Why Performance Pay?
4.2 Performance Pay Methods
4.3 Group Performance Pay
4.4 Stock/Share Plans
4.5 Justifying Performance
Pay/Summary
Formulating the Reward and
Compensation Strategy
5.1 Comp Constraints – Legal and
Economic
5.2 Formulating a Compensation
Strategy
5.3 Strategy for Contingent
Employees and Executives
Evaluating Jobs: The Process
6.1 Steps To Determining Pay
6.2 Job Analysis and Evaluation
6.3 Job Analysis and Evaluation
6.4 Pay Equity
Evaluating Jobs: Point Method
7.1 Point Factor JE Process
7.2 Mapping Grades to Market
Pay
Evaluating the Market
8.1 Understanding Labour
Markets and Wages
8.2 Labour Markets and Market
Compensation
8.3 Using Salary Surveys
Evaluating Individuals
9.1 Why Performance
Management
9.2 Performance Management
Tools
9.3 Sources of Feedback
9.4 Linking Performance and Pay
No Class
Chapter 5
Designing Performance Pay
Plans
10.1 Understanding Performance
Pay and ROI
10.2 Group Incentives - Gainsharing and Goal-sharing Plans
10.3 Profit Sharing Plans
10.4 Employee Stock and Option
Plans
Chapter 11
Chapter 6
Quiz 2
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Quiz 3
Chapter 10
Option: Meet to discuss project
3
11
April 8
Project Due and Presentations
Projects DUE
12
April 15
Recap and Managing the
Compensation System
11.1 Planning Compensation
11.2 Comp Administration
11.3 Implementing the
Compensation System
11.4 Compensation Evaluation
Recap and Chapter 13
Quiz 4
QUERCUS and ONLINE RESOURCES
Quercus is a learning management engine and is the University of Toronto’s main online teaching and
learning environment. It is web-based software which gives you and your instructor a shared learning
space online to receive and exchange course content as well as to communicate using a range of tools.
More information about online learning in Quercus can be found here:
https://help.learn.utoronto.ca/hc/en-us/sections/115000462414-Online-learning-in-Quercus
GRADING AND EVALUATION:
Participation
15%
Quizzes
55%
Group Project
30%
A note about Participation Marks:
Participation marks are for attendance and, more importantly, constructive contributions to at
least four class discussions/online assignments. The topics of the discussions will be selected
and monitored by the instructor.
Learners can expect to receive feedback and marks, if applicable, before the course end date,
for all their submitted assignment(s) and test(s). However, it is the sole responsibility of learners
to make sure that they do get these marks from their instructor and have all related questions
answered before the course ends.
MISSED TEST/ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES
If you miss a test or assignment, please work directly with your instructor to make alternate
arrangements. There may be penalties for missed or late assignments and tests including a
zero grade.
SCS GRADING SCALE:
A 80% to 100% Excellent
B 70% to 79% Good
C 60% to 69% Adequate
4
D 50% to 59% Marginal
FX Less than 50%
INC Incomplete
DNW Did not write
FINAL GRADE:
To view your final grade, please login to “My Access – Student Login” at:
https://learn.utoronto.ca/login. Please note that your final grade will not be posted on Quercus.
More information regarding Academic Policies and Guidelines is located here:
https://help.learn.utoronto.ca/hc/en-us/sections/207314307-Academic-Policies-and-Guidelines
CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT AND CODE OF BEHAVIOUR ON ACADEMIC MATTERS:
All School of Continuing Studies learners are required to comply with the University of Toronto
Academic Policies including, but not limited to the Code of Student Conduct and the Code of
Behaviour on Academic Matters.
Information regarding University of Toronto Academic Policies can be reviewed here:
https://help.learn.utoronto.ca/hc/en-us/articles/235279047-Academic-Policies-and-StudentCode-of-Conduct
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Course work that is not appropriately cited may be in violation of the Code of Behaviour on
Academic Matters (see above).
For guidelines about plagiarism and properly citing your sources, please visit:
https://help.learn.utoronto.ca/hc/en-us/articles/115006427548-Academic-Honesty
AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDINGS:
You are not permitted to record lectures without the written consent of your instructor(s).
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you require accommodation for a disability, please contact Enrolment and Learner Services at
416-978-2400, email scs.accessibility@utoronto.ca or fill out the form at the following link to
arrange this service. https://learn.utoronto.ca/help/forms-and-applications/accommodationrequest-form
5