The Compensation and Benefits: Regulations, Strategies, and Needs Assessment course is the 13th of 20 courses developed as part of the Human Resources Certification Program.

This course examines compensation and benefits programs, often referred to as total rewards, and their importance and impact on reaching organizational goals and objectives.

We'll look at federal laws and regulations related to compensation and benefits programs, including a brief review of related tax regulations. From there we'll move to budgeting and accounting for compensation and benefits programs, common compensation and benefits strategies, and how to perform a compensation and benefits needs assessment. In topic one, Compensation Legislation, you'll expand your knowledge of legislation affecting compensation programs and ways to ensure compensation programs are compliant with applicable federal laws and regulations.

Employees may bring civil cases against their employers for failing to inform them of their rights under the FMLA. In topic two, Legislation Affecting Benefits, our focus will shift to legislation related to benefits and ways to ensure benefits programs are compliant with applicable federal laws and regulations.

USERRA prohibits employers from discriminating against covered individuals in employment decisions because of their military service. In topic three, Tax and Benefits Legislation and Compensation Accounting Practices, the focus will be on tax laws related to compensation and benefits as well as budgeting and accounting practices related to compensation and benefits.

Compensation packages that lack strategic focus are often costly for organizations and their employees. In topic four, Common Compensation and Benefits Strategies, we'll look at some of the more common compensation and benefit strategies that HR professionals should be aware of.

A structured needs assessment is essential. In topic five, Needs Assessments for Compensation and Benefits programs, the primary focus will be on identifying key elements and conducting compensation and benefits programs needs assessments, including benchmarking, employee surveys, and trend analysis.

That’s it! Now, go ahead and push that “Take this course” button and see you on the inside!