CIPD Employee Reward (Generalist Elective)

Who is it for?

If you're considering this course, or any other of the CIPD courses that make up the PDS, you'll be an HR professional already working within an organisation and a current Student member of the CIPD. You'll be organised, have advanced people skills and be committed to helping staff to reach their full potential, both for their own career development and the benefit of the organisation.

Where can it lead?

Highly qualified professionals in HR can rise to the top. As more and more companies understand the importance of effective management of their staff, knowledge of and experience in sound HR practices is becoming more and more highly prized. Even if you would like to eventually progress to a different area of management, the skills you learn through this qualification will be a valuable addition to your resume.

Salary?

Once completed, this qualification can be expected to add to your earning potential, and give you an added edge when it comes to promotion opportunities. While a starting salary for a personnel manager can be anything between £25,000 to £50,000 a year or more, depending on the size of the organisation, a move to senior management can take you into an even higher salary band.

Can I apply?

As this is a Level 7 programme (equivalent to a Master's degree) you will need a good level of management experience. Please call our dedicated CIPD advisors on 0500 501 346 to discuss specific entry requirements, how to gain CIPD Student Membership, and the exemption process.

Course Code

U06

Period of study

12 months

What will I study?

The Employee Reward Contribution

• Examine the main components of a reward system: the processes, practices, structures, schemes and procedures. Consider financial and non-financial rewards. Investigate the impact of the National Minimum Wage.

The Conceptual Framework

• Examine employee reward in corporate, national and international contexts. Investigate the influence of organisational culture. Explore economic and motivational theories, including the psychological contract. Look at employee and employer expectations in relation to equality, fairness and consistency.

Employee Reward Processes

• Examine employee reward philosophy, strategies and policies. Explore reward planning and the auditing and analysis of the reward system. Learn how to develop reward systems for different organisations and discover the factors that must be considered.

Pay Structures

• Examine the usefulness of pay and benefit surveys, and learn how to conduct a pay survey. Explore pay structures, and discover how to choose a pay structure. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of job evaluation.

Pay Discrimination and Equal Pay

• Study the history of pay discrimination and, in particular, prejudice against women. Examine the Equal Pay and Equal Value Acts. Explore non-discriminatory pay structures.

Contingent Pay and Performance Management

• Explore the arguments for and against contingent pay. Discover the different types of contingent pay that exist, including performance-related pay. Examine individually-based incentive schemes and team pay. Consider how organisational performance can be rewarded. Review performance management.

Reward Systems for Special Groups

• Examine how directors and top people are paid. Explore international pay and expatriate rewards, including tax issues. Learn how sales and customer service staff can be rewarded.

Employee Benefits

• Explore topics such as the creation of a benefits strategy, flexible benefits systems, the harmonisation debate, and pensions.

Managing and Administering Reward

• Examine forecasting, budgeting and pay reviews. Consider the role of consultants and the contribution they can make to organisations. Explore how computers can be used in administering employee reward systems.

Assessment

There will be four assessments during the course and one exam (set by CIPD) on completion of the course. Students will also be required to attend a 2-day residential workshop.  Assessments can be submitted to ICS online via the Student Community (the faster alternative), or posted to ICS.

• Assessment 1: 7 questions (of a choice of 10) testing knowledge of Units 1 to 4. 2
• Assessment 2: 7 questions (of a choice of 10) testing  knowledge of Units 5 to 9.
• Assessment 3: 1 case study, testing knowledge of all 9 units.
• Assessment 4: 1 assignment (of a choice of 2) which should be approximately 2,000 words.
• Final Exam: 1 case study and 7 questions (of a choice of 10). The exam must be completed within 2 hours.

Notes

The 2-day residential workshop will take place at a central UK location.

The exam is held in May and November of each year.

Please note that the format of the exam is subject to change. The details provided are intended only as a guide and should not be regarded as definitive.

Technical requirements/Fees

CIPD membership, exam and workshop fees are additional to course fees.