TOP STORIES Avoid Bonus Blunders as Economy Slows The end of the year brings bonus and performance review discussions for many employees. In 2008 those discussions are likely to be more difficult as the slumping economy prompts talks in which workers are asked to do more with less—including downsizing their bonus expectations. And relatedly: Many Will See Lower-than-Expected Salary Increases, Bonuses in 2009 In response to the weakening economy and increasing cost pressures, many U.S. employers will be doling out smaller-than-expected pay raises and bonuses to employees in 2009, according to recent salary budget surveys. A significant number of employees can expect to see reduced bonus payouts for year-end 2008 as well. ________________________________________ Where are the benefits articles? They are now posted in SHRM Online's Benefits Focus Area! Compensation Seminar Series in December SHRM's Compensation Seminar Series is designed for HR generalists seeking more knowledge in the specialty areas of compensation and incentive compensation. Attendees receive a free copy of Solving the Compensation Puzzle by Sharon Koss. Two courses will be held in Chicago. The base compensation course is on Dec. 9, 2008, and the incentive compensation course is on Dec. 10. Click here for more information.

News & Featured Articles NEWLY POSTED/OF SPECIAL NOTE • Executive Pay Drops 4 Percent in 2008 (Compensation Focus Area) • Retention Compensation: A Stabilizing Force (Compensation Focus Area) • Telecommunications Pay Up Sharply in 2008 (Compensation Focus Area) • And Now, a Word About Salary Increases (HR Magazine) • Executive Comp: Rethink Incentive Plans for Difficult Times (Compensation Focus Area) • Incentive Plans Hit Hard by Economy; Retention Efforts Increase (Compensation Focus Area) • SHRM Comments on FLSA Updates (Compensation Focus Area) • Higher Pay Not Only Way To Offset Commuting Costs (Compensation Focus Area) • Manufacturing Compensation: A Sample (Compensation Focus Area) • Accounting and Finance Salaries Continue To Climb (Compensation Focus Area) • For Sales Personnel, Incentive Targets Lead to Bigger Bonuses (Compensation Focus Area) • Rescue Bill's Limits on Exec Comp Triggers Debate (Compensation Focus Area) _______________________________________________________ Sign up for the SHRM Compensation & Benefits newsletter (now 4 times monthly!)

Webcast Recent Webcasts: Available 'On Demand' Making Pay for Performance Pay Off for You Presenter: Sharon Koss, SPHR (Koss Management Consulting) As part of a strategic planning effort, HR must ensure that the compensation philosophy supports the organization's goals. In this webcast, Sharon Koss, author of Solving the Compensation Puzzle (SHRM, 2008), explores how HR can ensure the success of an organization’s pay-for-performance compensation strategy and prevent serious consequences such as employee turnover and lawsuits. This webcast is sponsored by Salary.com. View this webcast Also Available: Financial Stress in the Workplace Presenter: E. Thomas Garman (Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation)

SHRMStore High Performance Pay The book challenges conventional thinking and encourages compensation and human resource professionals to develop a proactive position about using total rewards to enhance organizational effectiveness and move the business forward.