Most HR practitioners saw their take-home pay fall in real terms over the past 12 months, according to CELRE's 2008-09 Salary Survey of HR/Personnel Staff.
The report, published today, reveals that the average increase in basic pay plus bonus for an HR practitioner in the year to 1 September 2008 was just 4.4% - the lowest increase in at least five years. Inflation, measured by the retail price index, over the same period stood at 5.0%.
This year's is the 34th annual CELRE survey of HR and personnel practitioner pay. It includes data from 94 organisations and covers 6,764 individual employees.
Email CELRE or call 020 8652 4653 to subscribe to this year's survey report and to find out more about how to participate in 2009. Please mention Ref CW01 when you call.
The report shows that HR directors now have an average basic salary of £132,696, rising to £174,559 when bonuses are included.
Basic pay plus bonus for employees at other levels within the HR function include:
• £91,618 for a function head;
• £69,078 for a department manager;
• £34,268 for a senior HR officer;
• £28,470 for an HR officer; and
• £17,188 for a clerical employee.
The survey found that some of the largest increases in salary over the past 12 months went to those working in reward management and employee benefits (6.0%). Those involved in management development (3.5%) and resource planning (3.0%) fared worst.
Although this year's report is too early to have picked up the effects of the economic downturn (data covered the year to 1 September 2008), there are indications of a slowdown:
• labour turnover rates have fallen, with the resignation rate down from 7.4% in 2007 to 4.5% in 2008;
• the number of employers reporting retention problems in HR has fallen from 76.1% to 55.8%; and
• employers are forecasting a median pay increase at their next review of just 3.5% for HR staff.
The survey also covers employee benefits. It found that the median value of the benefits package (including pensions, car allowances and annual leave above the statutory minimum plus bank holidays) was 25% of salary for HR managers, 19.0% for professionals and 15.5% for clerical staff.
The published report includes pay tables for 10 job levels and 15 job functions. Data are broken down further by industry, sales turnover, geographical region, qualification, and number of employees in the organisation.
Email CELRE or call 020 8652 4653 to subscribe to this year's survey report and to find out more about how to participate in 2009. Please mention Ref CW01 when you call.
Find out more about the CELRE Salary Survey of HR/Personnel Staff 2008/09.
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