Total Rewards
Job Architecture
Featured Blueprints
Create a Job Worth Hierarchy
April 01, 2026
Create a job worth hierarchy to illustrate where each job fits relative to every other job in the organization. This is critical to establish inter...
Reconceptualize Job Descriptions
January 26, 2023
Simplify both the template and the process to transform job descriptions into living documents that drive value.
Develop a Job Architecture Framework
January 14, 2022
Without a structured approach, job titles can cause significant headaches over the long-term. Create a consistent approach to job titling that supp...
Base Pay
Featured Blueprints
Craft a Compensation Philosophy
March 22, 2026
A clear compensation philosophy supports strategic decisions that optimize compensation costs while enabling organizations to effectively compete f...
The Rise of Organizational Transparency
January 21, 2026
Use this resource to review the benefits and risks of transparency, the levels of McLean’s transparency spectrum, organizational readiness criteria...
Design a Purposeful Pay for Performance Program
January 12, 2026
Use this research to build an intentional pay for performance program that meaningfully links organizational results to rewards and increases emplo...
Design a Base Pay Structure
January 17, 2023
Compensation, specifically base pay, is usually the highest organizational cost, and a significant factor in employee attraction and retention. Whi...
Build a Total Rewards Strategy
January 04, 2023
Compensation and benefits alone are not enough to motivate, engage, and retain employees. Use our research to create a holistic Total Rewards strat...
Conduct a Salary Assessment
May 16, 2022
Salary structure assessments help prevent and address pay inequities. Download our research to learn the critical elements of a successful salary a...
Resources
Research Notes
Variable Pay
Featured Blueprints
Craft a Compensation Philosophy
March 22, 2026
A clear compensation philosophy supports strategic decisions that optimize compensation costs while enabling organizations to effectively compete f...
Create an Effective Short-Term Incentive Plan
February 22, 2023
Short-term incentive plans (STIP) are table stakes for many organizations, yet the alignment and support of key organizational objectives is often ...
Build a Total Rewards Strategy
January 04, 2023
Compensation and benefits alone are not enough to motivate, engage, and retain employees. Use our research to create a holistic Total Rewards strat...
Employee Bonus Guide
October 20, 2022
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when designing a bonus program. Download our research guide and learn how to create the right employee bonus...
Non-Monetary Rewards
Featured Blueprints
Ingrain and Sustain Employee Recognition
October 27, 2025
Rewarding employees without recognition is counterproductive. Download McLean & Company's research to design the employee recognition program
Design an Employee Volunteer Program
January 30, 2024
People want to work for socially responsible organizations, and candidates evaluate employers based on their community involvement. Employee volunt...
Build a Total Rewards Strategy
January 04, 2023
Compensation and benefits alone are not enough to motivate, engage, and retain employees. Use our research to create a holistic Total Rewards strat...
Develop a Targeted Flexible Work Program
September 13, 2022
Create a customized flexible work program based on the unique needs of employees to attract and retain talent.
Equip Managers to Reinforce Behavior With Employee Recognition
March 31, 2022
When employees feel recognized, it positively impacts engagement. However, with so many items on managers’ to-do lists, recognition often falls to ...
Rewards Communication
Featured Blueprints
Craft a Compensation Philosophy
March 22, 2026
A clear compensation philosophy supports strategic decisions that optimize compensation costs while enabling organizations to effectively compete f...
Build a Total Rewards Strategy
January 04, 2023
Compensation and benefits alone are not enough to motivate, engage, and retain employees. Use our research to create a holistic Total Rewards strat...
Build a Total Rewards Statement
March 04, 2022
A significant amount of employees lack understanding of the actual value of their Total Rewards package. Communicating the Total Rewards offering t...