Compensation isn’t just an HR function—it’s a core business strategy. In this episode of Comp and Coffee, we look into the pay crystal ball with Rebecca Toman of Pearl Meyer, Ruth Thomas, Chief Compensation Strategist at Payscale, and Sara Hillenmeyer, Payscale’s Director of Data Science. Together, they explore how trusted data, AI, and a forward-thinking approach to comp strategy can help organizations not just keep up—but lead. If you care about performance, retention, equity, or executive pay, this episode is your blueprint for aligning comp strategy with long-term business success. 

What happens when your pay strategy sparks more questions than confidence—and your best people start walking? In this episode, we bring in the experts to tackle the hard truths behind tough pay conversations and how to rebuild trust before it’s too late.

Compensation has come a long way—from handwritten ledgers and dusty binders to AI-powered insights and real-time salary data. But what does the past teach us about where we’re headed? Join us for a nostalgia-packed, future-forward journey through the history of comp, featuring expert reflections from WorldatWork, and predictions from the people shaping the next era of pay. 

What's the state of the gender pay gap in 2025? 

In this episode Ruth Thomas discusses Payscale's 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report with Amy Stewart, Payscale's principal content strategist and author of the report. 

Together, they explore the controlled and uncontrolled pay gaps, the impact of pay transparency, and the various systemic factors contributing to the gender pay gap. 

Gain insights into why pay disparities persist and what organizations can do to address these inequalities.

Key Highlights

• Discussion on the difference between controlled and uncontrolled pay gaps and their current figures.
• Examination of how pay transparency legislation is affecting gender pay gaps across different states in the U.S.
• Insights into the systemic issues and historical context driving the gender pay gap, including the role of motherhood.
• Analysis of specific data showing pay disparities for women of color and in various industries.
• Recommendations for organizations on measures to close the gender pay gap.

Quotes

• "Pay transparency legislation is showing promise in closing pay gaps, though the impact is gradual." – Amy Stewart
• "The gender pay gap remains at 83 cents on the dollar for women, highlighting persistent barriers in the workforce." – Ruth Thomas

Resources

• 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report: https://www.payscale.com/research-and-insights/gender-pay-gap/

With the median company now using three salary data sources—and four or more for larger organizations—it’s clear that more data is the norm. But more doesn’t always mean better. Are you truly getting the most out of your investment in compensation data? Or just adding complexity without clarity?

In this episode, we break down what an effective compensation benchmarking strategy really looks like—and how to use multiple data sources strategically, not just simultaneously.

Resources: 

• 2025 Compensation Best Practices Report 
• Quick Guide - Aggregate salary data strengthens job pricing confidence 
• What's the price of free salary data? 
• Why salary surveys are so darn popular 

Why has the gender pay gap stalled, and what does it take for women to break into leadership? In this episode of Comp & Coffee, Ruth Thomas sits down with Payscale’s Chief People Officer, Lexi Clarke, and Chief Customer Officer, Kate Peter, to explore the latest findings from the 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report. They discuss the challenges women face in leadership, the role of pay transparency, and what businesses can do to close the gap. Grab your coffee and join us for this important conversation!

Key Highlights
• Discussion of the persistent gender pay gap and the role of pay transparency in addressing this issue.
• Insights from Lexi and Kate on navigating leadership roles as women and overcoming challenges in male-dominated industries.
• Analysis of factors contributing to the stalling of pay gap improvements since 2022, with a focus on systemic issues and political influences.
• Examination of the motherhood penalty and its impact on women's career trajectories.
• The importance of having a "personal board of directors" and being authentic in leadership roles.

Quotes
• "I want to show her what strong looks like. I want to be messy in front of her and show her that you can lead authentically." – Kate Peter
• "You can't unsee the data once you have it, and then you want to act on it." – Ruth Thomas
• "Being authentic is my way of making sure I'm doing my best work." – Lexi Clarke

References
Payscale's 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report

Compensation practices are constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires a keen understanding of the latest trends and data. In this episode, we’re sitting down with Amy Stewart, Principal of Content Strategy; Sara Hillenmeyer, Senior Director of Data Science; and Lulu Seikaly, Senior Corporate Attorney, to pour over the latest insights from the Compensation Best Practices Report 2025. We’ll explore the hottest trends in pay strategy, the bold flavors of pay transparency, and the strongest shifts impacting compensation programs today. 

Key Highlights:

—Analysis of the 2025 Compensation Best Practices Report, labeled as "The Year of Contention." —Examination of trends in pay transparency and the legislative impacts on organizations. —Discussion on the increased adoption of AI and compensation technology in HR processes. —Insights into employee demand for transparency and the role of managers in pay discussions.

Quotes:

—"Organizations are communicating more about compensation practices, and this transparency is being followed by higher investments in compensation data." – Lulu Seikaly —"Companies are increasingly using AI to supercharge their existing HR and compensation teams with real-time data and improved workflows." – Sarah Hillenmeyer

Episode Resources:      

—Get the CBPR 2025 Report: https://www.payscale.com/research-and-insights/cbpr/        —Watch our expert panel: https://www.payscale.com/events/2025-compensation-best-practices-panel/

In this episode of Comp and Coffee, host Ruth Thomas is joined by Cliff Stevenson, Director of Research at Sapient Insights Group, to discuss the latest trends in HR technology. The conversation covers AI's impact on compensation, HR anchor systems, and the importance of real-time data to enhance compensation strategies. This episode offers valuable insights and advice for HR and compensation leaders looking to navigate upcoming tech innovations in 2025.

Key Highlights:

• Discussion on the high user experience and vendor satisfaction in compensation software, with Payscale ranking amongst the top.

• Exploration of HR anchor systems and clustering trends for improving employee experience.

• Insight into AI's present-day solutions and its role in decision-making for HR professionals.

• The importance of leveraging real-time data for effective compensation management.

• Preparing HR systems for integrating contingent labor markets and evolving compensation tools.

Quotes:

• "User experience and access to real-time data are crucial for HR professionals." – Cliff Stevenson

• "AI is moving from future promise to present-day solution." – Cliff Stevenson

• "We should gear towards a human-centric workplace by leveraging AI." – Cliff Stevenson

Resources

• Payscale recognized with 12 G2 Winter Awards: https://www.payscale.com/compensation-trends/your-feedback-matters-payscale-recognized-with-12-g2-winter-awards/
• Making smarter pay decisions just got easier with expanded API integrations from Payscale: https://www.payscale.com/compensation-trends/making-smarter-pay-decisions-just-got-easier-with-expanded-api-integrations-from-payscale/

In this episode of "Comp and Coffee," Ruth Thomas is joined by Lulu Seikaly, our senior corporate attorney and pay transparency expert at Payscale, to unravel the complexities of pay transparency trends and legislation. With new laws continually emerging, the duo explores what this shift means for organizations, employees, and the future of compensation practices. This episode is packed with insights on compliance, the growing importance of trust in pay practices, and practical steps companies can take to effectively navigate these changes.

Key Highlights

• Overview of the latest pay transparency legislation in the U.S. and Europe, including specific state and country initiatives.

• Discussion on the misconceptions and challenges organizations face regarding pay transparency and how to overcome them.

• The importance of internal pay equity checks and getting organizational structures in order before posting salary ranges.

• Best practices for building trust through transparency and its impact on employee retention and satisfaction.

• Upcoming trends and potential legal challenges in the pay transparency landscape, including increased focus on pay communication and equity audits.

Quotes

• "The term pay transparency kind of has this notion that you have to show off your salaries that everyone makes within the company. But... they don't require employers to post everyone's salary for the world to see." – Lulu Seikaly

• "Once an employee understands why they're being paid, the way they're paid makes those ideas dissipate." – Lulu Seikaly

• "If your employees trust you, then they will be more engaged, they are more likely to stay with you, and they are more likely to be productive." – Ruth Thomas

Resources

• 2025 HR Predictions Guide: https://www.payscale.com/research-and-insights/2024-end-of-year-report/#module-19*

• January Legislative Lowdown: https://www.payscale.com/compensation-trends/the-legislative-lowdown-january-2025/*

• Webinar: https://www.payscale.com/research-and-insights/how-to-prepare-for-pay-transparency-in-2025-webinar-on-demand/

In this episode of "Comp and Coffee," host Ruth Thomas is joined by Payscale's compensation experts Kim Taylor and Roberto Molina to discuss strategies for empowering managers in compensation dialogues. The trio dives into the importance of coaching managers to lead effective pay conversations, especially amid increasing demand for transparency and legislative changes. Tune in to discover actionable insights for conducting smoother pay conversations that boost engagement and trust within organizations.

• Importance of manager preparedness in pay conversations and how robust information can aid these discussions.

• The rise of pay transparency laws driving the need for effective communication strategies.

• The challenges and pitfalls of pay conversations, including avoiding them or lacking preparation.

• Techniques for aligning performance reviews with compensation discussions to increase clarity and trust.

• Innovative training methods being adopted by organizations to enhance compensation dialogues at all levels.

• "So much of an employee's self-worth is tied up in their salary—it's uncomfortable to bring what might be perceived as not the most ideal news." – Kim Taylor

• "When managers are not aware of the why behind these ranges, they often cede their authority on pay decisions back to HR." – Roberto Molina

• "Pay is very personal; it drives your lifestyle, and these conversations can often be awkward and necessary." – Ruth Thomas

• How to Train Managers to Have Successful Pay Webinar: https://www.payscale.com/events/how-to-train-managers-to-have-successful-pay-conversations/ 

• Mastering Effective Pay Communications: Best Practices for Success Webinar: https://www.payscale.com/research-and-insights/mastering-effective-pay-communications-best-practices-for-success-webinar-on-demand/