Clemson University is introducing a strategic compensation plan to better support and reward the people who work every day to deliver Clemson’s land-grant mission. The plan was developed with input from stakeholders from across the University, including leadership from the Faculty and Staff Senates.
The strategic compensation plan establishes a sustainable approach for annual compensation opportunities by combining state-informed adjustments with broad-based increases for all eligible employees, in addition to market-informed assessments and performance-informed recognition.
Strategic Compensation Framework
The strategic compensation framework is made up of three parts:
- A broad-based increase, allocated annually across the board to all eligible employees.
- Employees eligible for the state-mandated general increase will receive a broad-based increase in line with state guidance.
- Broad-based increase amounts for those not eligible for the state-mandated general increase will be determined based on funding availability.
- A pool of funds for strategic or market adjustments, allocated at the discretion of the division vice president or college dean to address:
- Market competitiveness
- Salary compression or inversion
- Retention concerns
- Strategic workforce priorities
- A performance-based bonus pool, based on defined merit and performance criteria.
Eligibility
The following employee classifications are eligible for participation in the compensation plan:
- Classified and unclassified FTE staff
- FTE Faculty
- Faculty and staff in TLP or TGP positions
Employees must have served in their role for one year and be in good standing with the University, unless mandated differently by the General Assembly’s general increase.
Implementation
Any potential state-mandated general increase will occur in July. The remaining aspects of the strategic compensation plan will be implemented using a phased approach.
Further communication and guidance will be provided to leaders, supervisors and employees throughout the process.
As a portion of the plan is based on performance, employees and supervisors are encouraged to complete performance evaluations thoughtfully and on time.
Supporting Clemson’s people
The goal of the strategic compensation plan is to create a mechanism for annual compensation increases that support employee success and reward high performance. This plan integrates state increase practices with institutional priorities and provides transparent pathways to compensation increases for eligible employees.
