What's your Edge? Compensation, Benefits, and Pay Equity
Seating Instructions: Seating is first-come, first-served. Reserved seating options are available for accessibility and accommodations. For detailed accessibility information, visit INFO > FAQs in the app.
This session will delve into the crucial aspects of fair compensation practices within an organization. It will cover the various components of pay philosophy, compensation design, including salaries, bonuses, and non-monetary benefits. Additionally, the session will explore the concept of pay equity, highlighting the importance of ensuring fairness and parity in wages among employees regardless of gender, race, or other differentiating factors. Strategies to analyze, address, and mitigate pay disparities will also be discussed, emphasizing the significance of creating an inclusive and equitable workplace.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss: What is an organizational pay philosophy and why does it matter?
- Learn: Best practices for sustainable and competitive compensation design.
- Learn: How to infuse pay equity into your compensation philosophy and plan design. What does pay equity really mean?
- Backtrack: What should I do now? Discuss ways to mitigate pay disparities to create an equitable workplace, regain trust from your employees, and position the company to acquire and retain top talent.
Direct Link to Session Materials: If the speaker provides session materials, you can access them via the app, web format or at https://presentations.shrm.org/.
Live Streaming and Recording: Unless marked 'in person only,' all sessions are live-streamed on the app or web format and available for replay 30 days after the event.
Acknowledgment of Technical Issues: While rare, technical issues may occur during sessions. We appreciate your patience as we quickly address them.
Accessibility & Accommodations Information: For detailed accessibility & accommodations information, visit INFO > FAQs in the app.
Brenda McChriston
BRENDA MCCHRISTON, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Brenda is CEO and Principal of Spectrum HR Solutions, a certified woman-owned minority human resource advisory practice in strategic HR management, diversity, leadership training, compliance, employee relations and compensation. Her vision for the company began in 2004. Since then, Spectrum has helped more than 175 companies and organizations nationwide save money, improve employee productivity, and achieve organization growth.
In the community, Brenda has a passion for mentoring the next generation to be successful in their life’s work. She has been an Advisory Council Member to the Passport-to-the Future Program at Howard County Public Schools; providing guidance on curriculum-based tools to meet labor force needs. Each year, this program grows larger with employer participation with the help of organizations such as the Howard County HR Society, an organization to which Brenda was a past president. In 2019, Brenda chaired the Howard County Human Resource Society’s Diversity Inclusion Committee and organized the County’s first ever Leader’s Symposium on Diversity Inclusion bringing top notch speakers and attracting C-suite attendees. The results of which inspired several organizations to develop and/or create diversity programs for their organizations. She was recently appointed by the County Executive to the County’s first Police Accountability Board - a federal initiative.
Continuing her work as advocate for youth and women’s issues, she was re-appointed to a second four-year term by the Governor to the Maryland Commission for women. As Commissioner, she is working to protect and promote women’s issues in education, safety, childcare, workforce development and health. Previously, she served on Howard County’s Personnel Board and the Mid-Maryland Workforce Investment Board (WIB). She has served as College Relations Director for the SHRM Maryland State Council and served as a board member to the Better Business Bureau of Maryland.
Additionally, her leadership commitments continue graduating from Leadership Maryland, Class of 2015 and Leadership Howard County, Class of 2006. She is an alum of the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses Program.
In 2013 and 2023, Brenda was twice selected as one of Maryland Daily Record’s Top 100 Women. In 2018, for her volunteer contributions she received the regional CEO Leadership award. In 2017, Brenda received the prestigious international award as Enterprising Women of the Year, recognizing her community contributions. In 2014, Spectrum HR Solutions was noted as one of Baltimore’s 100 Smart Run Companies – Innovative Leaders. Again, Spectrum HR Solutions received the distinguished honor twice as one of the region’s Top 100 MBE’s. In 2011, her company was recognized as one of SmartCEO’s Future 50 – Emerging Growth Companies and Brava! Women in Business Achievement Award.
As the top Human Resources executive, Brenda has frequently served as an advisor, consultant, and coach to CEOs, on organization development, culture inclusion and HR globalization. For 7 years she was Adjunct Professor at McDaniel College, in the Post-graduate Program in Human Resources Development. Completing her business undergraduate degree at Michigan State University, Ms. McChriston holds a master’s degree in business management/human resources from Central Michigan University and holds prestigious SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications in human resources.