2017 A/E Bonus & Benefits Benchmark Survey
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Background
Big Picture Results
Survey Organization and Discussion
Key Survey Results: A Summary of All Results
Background
Key Bonus Program Results
Key Employee Benefits Results
Key Survey Comparison Results
Overall Fringe Benefit Policy Comparison
Bonus Policy Comparison Results
Employee Benefit Comparison Results
Employee Turnover Comparison Results
Action Summary: A Call to Action for Anyone Implementing a Bonus Plan
Background
Putting Bonus Plans to Work in Your Firm
General Thoughts on How to Pool Your Profits!
Allocating Profits in the Form of Profit Pools
Profits to Be Retained by the Firm
Profits to Reward Owners for Their Investment
Profits That Reward Employees for Achieving Incentives
Several Benefits of this Approach
PART I: BONUS RESULTS
Section 1-1: Overall Bonus Results
Types of Bonus Plans
Bonus Payment Percentages
Factors That Drive Bonus Plans
Plan Changes and Administrative Issues
Level of Satisfaction
A Wake-up Call Is Necessary: Motivation and Rewarding Desired Performance
Section 1-2: Common Types of Incentive Compensation Plans
Introduction
Use of Cash and Non-Cash Bonus Plans
Number of Different Cash Bonus Plans
Different Types of Cash Bonus Plans
Types of Non-Cash Bonus Plans
Section 1-3: Cash Incentive Plan Costs and Payments
Introduction
Total Cash Bonus Payments as Percentage of Total Payroll Salaries
Total Cash Bonus Payments as Percentage of Net Revenues
Total Cash Bonus Payments in Dollars per Total Staff
Range of Incentive Payments as Percentage of Salary
Section 1-4: Annual Performance Bonus Plan
Introduction
Annual Performance Bonus Payments as Percentage of Total Payroll Salaries
Annual Performance Bonus Payments as Percentage of Net Revenues
Annual Performance Bonus Payments in Dollars per Total Staff
Section 1-5: Staff Eligibility and Bonus Plan Factors
Introduction
Staff Groups Eligible for Bonus Plans
Factors Used To Determine Incentive Payments
The Flat Percentage-of-Salary Bonus Plan
Section 1-6: Administration of Bonus Plans
Introduction
Who Recommends Individual Bonus Amounts?
Who Finalizes Bonus Payments?
How Often Are Bonus Payments Distributed?
How Many Years Have Bonuses Been Paid Over the Past Five Years?
Changes to Bonus Plans in the Past Five Years
Section 1-7: Measures of Bonus Plan Satisfaction
Introduction
Overall Level of Satisfaction
Fair Level of Reward to Staff
Reward Desired Employee Performance
Plan Motivates Staff
Ease of Administration
Plan Meets Firm’s Overall Needs
Level of Satisfaction Analysis
PART ll: BENEFITS RESULTS
Section 2-1. Overall Benefits Results
Employee Turnover Results
Paid Holiday Benefits
Vacation Leave Benefits
Sick Leave Benefits
Personal and Additional Leave Policies and Benefits
Additional Employee Leave Policies
Office Time and Work Policies
Group Insurance Policies and Health Benefits
Retirement Plan Types, Policies, and Benefits
Miscellaneous Fringe Benefit Plans
Section 2-2. Overall Firm Benefits Policy and Staff Turnover Survey Results
Introduction
Overall Firm Policy Concerning Benefits
Design Firms vs. Other Industries
Staff Turnover Analysis
Reasons for Staff Turnover
New Recruit Policy Waivers
Section 2-3. Holiday, Vacation, Sick, and Personal Leave Survey Results
Introduction
Holiday Benefits
List of Typical Holidays
Vacation Benefits
Vacation Carryover and Payment upon Termination
Sick Leave Benefits
Sick Leave Carryover and Payment upon Termination
Personal Leave Benefits
Personal Leave Carryover and Payment upon Termination
Section 2-4. Additional Types of Leave Survey Results
Introduction
Jury Duty Policies and Benefits
Military Reserve Leave Policies and Benefits
Maternity Leave Policies and Benefits
Family Leave Policies and Benefits
Section 2-5. Office Time and Work Policy Survey Results
Introduction
Overtime Pay Benefits
Office Hours, Flextime, Comp Time, and Telecommuting Survey Results
Flextime Policies and Benefits
Compensatory Time (Comp Time) Policies and Benefits
Remote Working (Telecommuting) Policies and Benefits
Company Support of Telecommuting Employees
Section 2-6. Retirement Plan Survey Results
Introduction
Retirement Plan Option Survey Results
Employer Contributions to Retirement Plans
Section 2-7. Insurance and Educational Benefits Survey Results
Introduction
The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
How Has the Affordable Care Act Affected Firms?
Now That the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Is in Place…
Group Insurance Payment Policy Results
Group Insurance Payment Percentages
Employee Group Insurance Payment Amounts
Types of Group Insurance Offered
Types of Medical Insurance Plans Offered
Cafeteria Plan Benefit Results
Cafeteria Plan Options
Continuing Education Benefit Results
Professional Registration Benefit Results
Section 2-8. Employee Relocation Benefits Survey Results
Introduction
Relocation Payment Policy Results
Basis for Relocation Payments
Types of Reimbursable Relocation Costs
Section 2-9. Employee Performance and Salary Review Survey Results
Introduction
Employee Performance Review Policy Results
Employee Policy Survey Results
Section 2-10. Management Transition Policy Survey Results
Introduction
Management Transition Policy Results
PART lll: COMPARISON RESULTS
Section 3-1: Benefit Policy Comparison Results
Introduction
Superior Fringe Benefits
Superior Fringe Benefit Results
Competitive Fringe Benefits
Competitive Fringe Benefit Results
Minimum Fringe Benefits
Minimum Fringe Benefit Results
Section 3-2: Bonus Policy Comparison Results
Introduction
Highest Bonus Dollars per Staff
Highest Bonus Dollars per Staff Results
Staff Motivation Rated as “Very Satisfied”
Staff Motivation Rated as “Very Satisfied” Results
Overall Bonus Plan Rated as “Very Satisfied”
Overall Bonus Plan Rated as “Very Satisfied” Results
Section 3-3: Fringe Benefit Comparison Results
Introduction
Highest Percentage of Group Insurance Paid by Employer
Highest Percentage of Group Insurance Paid by Employer Results
Highest Retirement Contribution Per Staff
Highest Retirement Contribution Per Staff Results
Section 3-4: Employee Turnover Comparison Results
Introduction
Lowest Turnover Rates
Lowest Turnover Rate Results
Highest Turnover Rates
Section 3-5: Profitability Rate Comparison Results
Introduction
Highest Profitability Rates
Highest Profitability Rates Results
Lowest Profitability Rates
Lowest Profitability Rates Results
Appendices
Appendix A: The Survey Database
Role of the Advisory Board
The Sample
Some Cautions
Important Analysis Techniques
Appendix B: The Questionnaire
Appendix C: Regional Analysis
Appendix D: Index