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 Dis...
May 01, 2025•26 min•Ep. 113
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 Compens...
Apr 29, 2025•58 min•Ep. 112
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 conversati...
Apr 16, 2025•44 min•Ep. 111
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 shi...
Apr 08, 2025•37 min•Ep. 110
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 us...
Mar 12, 2025•35 min•Ep. 109
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 c...
Mar 03, 2025•35 min•Ep. 108
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 organiz...
Feb 27, 2025•29 min•Ep. 107
Grab your favorite mug—we’re asking what’s ✨brewing✨ in comp strategies for the year ahead. In this episode of Comp and Coffee, host Ruth Thomas kicks off 2025 with guest Sarika Lamont, Vice President of People and Culture at Vidyard. The discussion revolves around the emerging trends and critical priorities in HR and compensation, focusing on the intersection of equity, AI, and employee empowerment. Sarika shares insights on fostering pay equity independently of DE&I trends and emphasizes t...
Feb 04, 2025•34 min•Ep. 106
In this episode of Comp and Coffee, host Ruth Thomas is joined by Payscale's thought leaders Sarah Hillenmeyer, Senior Director of Data Science, and Lexi Clark, Chief People Officer, to explore HR predictions for 2025. The discussion dives into the evolving employer-employee power dynamics, the rapid adoption of AI in HR, and the implications of wage growth trends as we transition into the new year. This episode promises insightful perspectives on the future of work, perfect for HR professionals...
Dec 30, 2024•34 min•Ep. 105
In this episode of Comp and Coffee, hosts Ruth Thomas and Amy Stewart dive into Payscale's 2024 Year-End Report, highlighting the state of the job market as we approach 2025. Amy Stewart, Payscale's Principal Content Strategist, shares her insights on the year’s labor market trends, hot jobs, and the significance of wage growth. The episode also explores the challenges and opportunities in recruiting and retaining top talent in an evolving economic landscape. Tune in for vital takeaways to infor...
Dec 20, 2024•30 min•Ep. 104
In this episode of Comp and Coffee, host Ruth Thomas is joined by first-time guests Morgan Love, Tina Yu, and Olivia Crowley as they explore Payscale's exciting Q4 advancements and the role of AI in compensation. The discussion centers on managing salary surveys, leveraging dynamic data, and incorporating AI to ease and enhance compensation processes. Tune in to learn how these innovations empower compensation professionals to focus on strategic decision-making. Key Highlights: Introduction of P...
Nov 20, 2024•21 min•Ep. 103
What a brilliant time we had at Compference24! In this episode of Comp and Coffee Ruth Thomas is joined by Marc Mullis of Payformance Partners and Elena Van Kirk of Exude Human Capital to review and discuss all things Compf24. They share their own experiences of Payscale's annual flagship conference, as well as dig into the exciting intersection of compensation strategy, equity, and future workforce considerations. Whether you are looking to understand the future of pay transparency or seeking f...
Oct 28, 2024•35 min•Ep. 102
In this engaging episode of Comp and Coffee, host Ruth Thomas is joined by Payscale colleagues Katie Harmon and Sara Hillenmeyer to discuss their insights and experiences from the recent HR Tech conference in Las Vegas. The trio dives into the electrifying energy at the event, highlighting how AI and skills-based talent management are transforming HR practices. With firsthand observations from the conference floor, they unpack the implications of these technologies on compensation, diversity, an...
Oct 11, 2024•30 min•Ep. 101
In this special centenary episode of Comp and Coffee, host Ruth Thomas celebrates 100 insightful episodes of discussions on compensation. Joined by Heather Kruger, Senior Director of Corporate Marketing, and Zach Jamieson, HR Manager at Payscale, this episode reflects on past episodes' themes and their evolution in today's workplace. From the historical journey of pay structures to remote work dynamics, this episode offers a comprehensive reflection and future outlook on compensation management....
Sep 16, 2024•39 min•Ep. 100
In this episode of Comp & Coffee, host Ruth Thomas delves into the insights from Payscale’s newly released 2024 Salary Budget Survey Report. Joined by Amy Stewart, Principal of Research and Insights at Payscale, and Minde Stone, Senior Director of Rewards, HR Operations, and Talent Acquisition, the discussion covers critical findings from the survey, the macroeconomic factors influencing salary budgets, and practical tips for compensation professionals as they approach the budgeting season. ...
Sep 06, 2024•25 min•Ep. 99
In this episode of Comp & Coffee, Ruth Thomas hosts a lively discussion on favorite summer reads that offer both professional insights and personal growth. Joined by Jennifer Ferris, Principal Solutions Consultant at Payscale, and Liz Sheffield, Manager of Content Marketing, they dive into books that range from leadership strategies to pay equity. The books they discuss include: "The Myth of the Nice Girl: Achieving a Career You Love Without Becoming a Person You Hate" by Fran Hauser "Leadin...
Aug 16, 2024•36 min•Ep. 98
This episode of Comp & Coffee, hosted by Ruth Thomas, covers Payscale's latest innovations and updates in compensation management. Key themes include surfacing actionable insights, growing data, and incorporating user-led feedback. The discussion features Brooke Grimes, Senior Director of Product Marketing, and Brittany Innes, Senior Director of Product Management. They highlight new features such as job family management, improvements in survey participation, and growth in peer data. The ep...
Jul 10, 2024•23 min•Ep. 97
Join Ruth Thomas, Chief Evangelist at Payscale, on this episode of Comp and Coffee as she delves into the world of salary surveys with Gerard Smith, Amy Bredemus, and Matt Chalek. Learn about the importance of participation in third-party salary surveys, how Payscale integrates and manages multiple survey data sources, and the impact of AI in improving compensation management. Tune in to discover tips for navigating survey provider changes, understanding data trends, and enhancing your compensat...
Jun 19, 2024•27 min•Ep. 96
Join Ruth Thomas, Chief Evangelist at Payscale, and her co-host Liz Sheffield as they recap their experience at the WorldatWork Total Rewards 2024 conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. This episode features in-depth discussions on the latest trends in reward and compensation, key takeaways from various sessions on AI, pay transparency, and personal reflections from industry professionals. Gain valuable insights on how to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of compensation management.
Jun 07, 2024•37 min•Ep. 95
In this episode of Comp & Coffee, Ruth Thomas discusses the upcoming WorldatWork Total Reward 2024 Conference. She is joined by Lexi Clarke, Chief People Officer at Payscale, and James Atkinson, VP of Data Products. They talk about the sessions they will be leading at the conference, including topics such as equipping people managers for effective pay conversations and the impact of AI on compensation. They also discuss the importance of continuous learning and networking at events like Worl...
May 14, 2024•23 min•Ep. 94
In this episode of Comp & Coffee, hosted by Ruth Thomas, Chief Evangelist at Payscale, the podcast dives into the findings of Payscale’s 2024 Compensation Best Practice Report (CBPR). Guests Amy Stewart, Associate Director of Content Marketing and author of the CBPR, alongside Lulu Seikaly, Payscale’s Senior Corporate Attorney, share their insights on the evolving landscape of compensation management. Key topics discussed include the significant increase in organizations practicing pay trans...
May 07, 2024•41 min•Ep. 93
In this episode of Comp and Coffee, Ruth Thomas and her Payscale colleagues, Brooke Grimes, James Atkinson, and Brittany Innes, discuss the latest innovations at Payscale in response to market demands and key compensation trends. They cover how Payscale is leveraging AI to enhance product and data offerings, particularly in job description management, and the role of AI in improving efficiency and fairness in HR practices based on insights from the Compensation Best Practice Report 2024. The tea...
May 03, 2024•35 min•Ep. 92
We are again discussing Gender Pay Gaps and the findings from our recently released GPGR. In our last episode, we introduced you to this year’s report and the overall outcomes. Today we are going to build on that and delve into more of the reports insights and discuss some of the potential drivers of pay gaps. Picking up from our last episode, we'll take a deeper dive into the Payscale Gender Pay Gap Report. We'll start with a quick summary of report findings, then explore how age affects the pa...
Mar 29, 2024•36 min•Ep. 91
Our discussions this month are all aimed at raising awareness and encouraging action to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our workplaces and society at large. This year’s Women’s History Month theme “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion" which is very appropriate for this conversation. Today, host Ruth Thomas welcomes guests Michelle Gyima and Amy Stewart to analyze data from the recently published Gender Pay Gap Report 2024. This report, now in its tenth year, of...
Mar 18, 2024•36 min•Ep. 90
In January, we saw 22 U.S. states boosting their minimum wage rates with effect from the 1st of the month and three more planned later this year. So now there will soon be 30 states with minimum wages higher than the federal standard, which is $7.25 per hour for non-exempt workers. In this episode, we're talking about the impact this is having and will have. Have you ever wondered how minimum wage could impact your pay? Tune in, and let's find out! Join Ruth and her guests, Vicky, Lulu, and Kim,...
Feb 02, 2024•33 min•Ep. 89
Curious about job market trends in 2024? Join us in this episode as we delve into market predictions and the evolving compensation landscape for this calendar year. Our thought leaders at Payscale will discuss the fate of talent acquisition and share insights to help you navigate the changing world of work. Tune in with our guests, James and Lulu, as they break down key aspects of the job industry this 2024. Key Takeaways: Legislation and advancements in technology What is ahead in the legislati...
Jan 10, 2024•29 min•Ep. 88
As we close out the year, this discussion centers the state of the labor market as we pivot into 2024 as well as hot jobs and this year. What are the predictions from our thought leaders here at Payscale? Listen to find out! Let's dive into Payscale’s 2023 End-of-Year Report! In this episode, guests Amy Stewart and Lexi Clarke provide insights into the state of the job market as we approach 2024. They highlight the top 10 in-demand jobs of 2023 with significant wage growth and reveal the jobs pe...
Dec 27, 2023•33 min•Ep. 87
Vicki, Liz, and Ruth discuss the gender pay gap -- what it is and how it's looking for next year. Is your organization taking necessary action to close the gap? In this episode, we're peering into the future—2024, to be exact—to predict what changes lie ahead for the gender pay gap. Our guests, Vicky Peakman and Liz Sheffield, will be breaking down the factors that could impact who earns what, exploring everything from how workplaces are evolving to new policies on the horizon. Join us for this ...
Dec 13, 2023•30 min•Ep. 86
Amy, Ruth, and Russ discuss remote work, RTO mandates, and the impact this is having on the workplace. How will new policies and expectations impact your workforce? In this episode, we delve into the dynamic landscape of remote work and the evolving scenarios surrounding return-to-office mandates. Explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of work as we navigate the intersection of technology, workplace culture, and the ongoing impact of global events. From the t...
Nov 29, 2023•32 min•Ep. 85
Liz, Lulu, Ruth, & Russ discuss Pay Transparency from the employees perspective. Is this your company's opportunity to build a better brand? Assets: Payscale Comp Quick Guide: Understanding Employee Reaction to Pay Transparency
Sep 15, 2023•27 min•Ep. 84
