Recently, we had the opportunity to work with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District on an interesting compensation project. The District tasked us to complete a thorough compensation study focused on their non-union workforce. In addition to providing competitive intelligence and data on their pay practices for these employees, we provided guidance on how they could enhance compensation administration and their overall pay structure.
The mission of NEORSD is to provide progressive management of sewage and stormwater through fiscal responsibility, innovation, and community partnerships. Their vision is to be the environmental leader in enhancing quality of life in the region and protecting its water resources. The District owns and operates three wastewater treatment plants. These treatment plants clean tens of billions of gallons of wastewater every year, reducing pollution and improving water quality.
Our project partner was Jalal Abuhamdeh, who is the Senior HR Manager for Compensation and Performance. He said:
We contacted a number of service providers to find a partner to analyze our pay system and provide recommendations on how to improve it. Another thing we wanted to know was whether our approach differentiated us in the market for talent…that is, how our pay system compares to other public sector employers, and whether it gives us an edge in recruiting and retention. Mark Fiala and Ryan Sheehan from OA were selected based on the strength of their proposal and their experience. They moved quickly to understand our programs and goals. Their analysis was thorough and their reports were clear. They met with us repeatedly to review findings and answer questions. They were effective at building relationships with our internal stakeholders to understand their perspective, and uncovering data from other public sector entities. OA’s analysis helped our leadership team, trustees, and other stakeholders understand how our practices fit into a well-designed and implemented compensation strategy.If you need assistance with your compensation programs or other HR consulting needs, contact us and check out other success stories to learn more.