In 2022 Gravitate HR were commissioned by a charity based in Scotland to conduct an independent review of their organisation’s benefits offering and to carry out a benchmarking exercise with regards to its salaries and pay scales, compared to standards within the third sector.

The overall objectives of the project were:

  • To provide the organisation with feedback and recommendations regarding pay scales and  salary levels within the organisation, based on an objective comparison with other relevant roles within the third sector; 
  • To review the current benefits’ catalogue and to consider the value of offering additional benefits based on staff preferences and needs as well as on a comparison with the benefits offered by other relevant organisations; 
  • To make recommendations to improve the current benefits catalogue based on this; 
  • To review existing terms and conditions of employment, identifying areas where harmonisation may be possible and to make recommendations based on this; 
  • To scope out how the organisation should approach the implementation of any changes as a result of the findings, including advice around change management and consultation.

Project Stages 

  • Documentation Review – The initial stage of the project involved a review of all existing documentation and the organisation’s existing salary structure(s), benefits, policies and procedures, which were provided by the organisation. An interim report flagging any legislative and best practice updates that were required was provided which also highlighted where disparities lay in terms and conditions across the workforce. This step in the project also included extracting relevant terms and conditions and general information in order to perform an analysis and a comparison with other similar organisations and formulate recommendations. 
  • Benefits and Salary Benchmarking – Following the review of the existing terms and conditions, a benchmarking exercise was carried out in two stages. The first stage consisted of collecting information on the salary structure and benefits offered by other relevant comparator employers within the third sector. The second phase of the benchmarking exercise predominantly focussed on objectively comparing this information to that obtained during the documentation review stage. Following the comparison and analysis, conclusions and recommendations were drawn out, taking also into account the data obtained through the staff consultation stage. 
  • Staff Consultations: Staff Survey – There were two elements to the staff consultations. Firstly, an online survey was carried out. The survey consisted of 5 questions based around the staff awareness of the existing benefits within the organisation, the value given to a range of different benefit options and the opportunity for staff to specify further the types of benefits that they would like to see implemented. The survey responses were then analysed and collated in a way that would ensure staff anonymity with common themes extracted and then incorporated into the final report. 
  • Staff Consultation: Focus groups – Gravitate HR then conducted a series of focus groups to help understand the views and opinions of staff over a more detailed discussion. The focus groups were split into the following staff groups to encourage participation and honest feedback from staff; Managers/Finance/HR and All staff which will consist of both contracted and sessional staff. Staff opinions were then considered and used to inform the final recommendations put forward to the organisation.
  • Final Project Report – Following the proceeding stages, a report was compiled to showcase our findings, methodology, recommendations both in terms of the organisation’s offering and implementation guidance for the organisation to consider. 

Results

With this exercise completed, our client’s Board was furnished with a comprehensive analysis and report of the current state of play within their organisation, how this compared with sector-relevant comparators and insight into where their staff preferences and priorities sat from a benefits perspective. As well as this, they received a set of practical and relevant recommendations to consider for implementation and guidance on how to approach the change-process required for such matters.

We regularly undertake projects to help organisations benchmark their pay and benefits and obtain insightful data and information to inform changes they should make within their own organisation. If you are considering changes to your pay scales, salaries and/or benefits offering, contact Neil Ferguson via email (neil@gravitatehr.co.uk) or on 0141 225 7458 to arrange a free 20-minute consultation about your project.