Benchmarking can be an invaluable tool in collective bargaining and maintaining a satisfied workforce. Below are some key things to consider in producing effective benchmarking comparisons.
- Carefully select the appropriate benchmarking comparators and be prepared to defend those choices with hard data and/or reasoning
- Select provisions to benchmark that have the highest financial and operational impact on the organization
- Involve key people in the organization to assist in selecting those items
- Consider surveying employees to ascertain which provisions are most meaningful and important to them
- Use charts and tables that are easy to read and interpret
- If the benchmarking is to be used in preparing for or during contract negotiations, leave room on your surveys to enter proposals from both parties
- Most importantly, if the data is to be shared with the other party or used in mediation or arbitration, ensure the data is 100% accurate; even the smallest inaccuracy puts all other data into question