Utility companies find value in time-off programs

Compdata Surveys
Tags: talent management, business management

Even as a very slow and modest upturn in the U.S. economy is becoming evident, utility companies across the country continue to search for ways to reward employees, despite the shrinking pay increase budgets and pay freezes seen throughout the industry. The newly released 2010 Compensation Data Utilities survey results show that exempt employees with less than one year of service earn an average of 3.9 vacation days, while non-exempt employees earn 3.3 days.

More than 75 percent of the utility companies offering paid vacation to employees use years of service to determine the number of days an employee can accrue. Exempt employees with five years of service average 12.8 days of vacation, compared to those with 10 years of service, 16.1 days. Employees with 20 years of service have 22.1 days of vacation, according to the newly released results. Both exempt and non-exempt employees are granted an average of three personal days and 11 sick days per year.

"In retaining top employees, many organizations are finding enhancements to time off programs may be a viable alternative to granting pay increases," said Amy Kaminski, director of marketing for Compdata Surveys, the nation's leading pay and benefit survey data provider. "Until effects of the economic recovery can be felt, it will remain important for companies to be creative and make the most of their compensation budgets."

While utility companies generally allow carryover of vacation days from one year to the next, 90 percent place a limit on the number of days that can be carried over. Compensation Data Utilities 2010 shows exempt employees can carry over up to 21.3 days of vacation, while non-exempt employees are allowed to carry over up to 20.5 days.

About the survey
Compensation Data Utilities 2010 contains data on over 100 industry-specific job titles and more than 250 benchmark titles ranging from entry-level to top executives. Data is collected annually from utility employers across the country. The results provide a comprehensive summary of pay data, benefit information and pay practices with an effective date of February 1, 2010.

About Compdata Surveys
Compdata Surveys is the nation's leading compensation and benefits survey data provider. Thousands of U.S. organizations provide data each year ensuring the reliability of our results. Compdata Surveys has been providing comprehensive data at affordable prices to organizations from coast to coast since 1988. For further information about their compensation and benefits surveys, contact Amy Kaminski at 800-300-9570.