Performance-related pay and productivity

Abstract

Performance-related pay and productivity. IZA World of Labor 2022: 152v2 doi: 10.15185/izawol.152.v2 | Claudio Lucifora and Federica Origo © | January 2022 [Previous version May 2015] | wol.iza.org 1 1 AUTHOR'S MAIN MESSAGE Performance-related pay can effectively increase firm performance if the type and design of schemes is appropriate. Individual schemes linked to performance have been shown to be associated with higher firm productivity, while group performance-related pay and financial participation generally exhibit smaller effects on performance. Performance-related pay is a relevant policy to improve firm performance and competitiveness, although the adverse effects on work intensification and employees' physical strain and psychological stress should not be overlooked. Looking forward, new patterns of work-from-home and remote work will increase the relevance of performance-related pay. ELEVATOR PITCH A growing number of firms offer compensation packages that link pay to performance. The aim is to motivate workers to be more efficient while also increasing their attachment to the company, thereby reducing turnover and absenteeism. The effects of performance-related pay on productivity depend on the scheme type and design, with individual incentives showing the largest effect. Governments often offer tax breaks and financial incentives to promote performance-related pay, though their desirability has been questioned due to large deadweight losses involved. The diffusion of remote work will increase the relevance of performance-related pay. KEY FINDINGS Cons The effects of performance-related pay schemes differ significantly according to their design and the type of firms. When pay incentives are ill-designed, the effects can be perverse and counterproductive. Pros Linking pay to performance is expected to increase worker motivation, effort, and loyalty to the firm. Pay incentives raise job satisfaction, lower absenteeism and turnover rates, and have a sizable effect on company performance. Incentive schemes increase wage flexibility and the reallocation of high quality workers to high productivity firms. The diffusion of remote work may involve a shift from input-to output-based compensation schemes such as performance-related pay. Digital technologies may improve performance measurement, thus improving the targeting of performance-related pay.