The State of Pay: 7 Compensation Trends Redefining the Workplace
Compensation strategy is outpacing infrastructure in 2026.
With pay transparency laws now covering 40% of the US workforce, pressure is mounting to demonstrate fairness and empower managers to make defensible pay decisions. Yet, many organizations are struggling with outdated systems that simply can't support modern compensation demands.
We surveyed 178 US compensation, HR, and finance leaders to identify the trends reshaping compensation strategy. Download our free report to learn about how:
- Cross-functional buy-in is the new standard: 93% say compensation software decisions now involve the C-suite, IT, and finance, linking pay directly to broader business outcomes.
- Spreadsheets are failing: 34% cite manual, spreadsheet-heavy systems as a top pain point that limits their strategy.
- AI readiness depends on governance: 56% see strong potential for AI automation, but 52% require strict data privacy safeguards before adopting it.
Inside, you'll also get expert insights from beqom leadership, including:
- Why pay decisions can no longer remain a back-office function (Vismay Gada, Chief Evangelist).
- The two critical questions every team must ask before adopting AI (Clare Bonham, Chief Product Officer).
- 3 concrete steps you can take right now to close the gap between your strategy and your infrastructure.
Fill out the form to access the full report.
Some of our latest resources
Explore beqom's latest resources, including expert eGuides, exclusive webinars, and so much more.
Intentional AI in Compensation: How to Use AI You Can Actually Explain | A 30-Minute Fireside Chat
Every compensation decision touches a livelihood, so focusing on speed isn't enough—you need accountability. Watch this video of beqom’s Head of AI, Dr. Julian Perez Alzueta, and CTO, Dr. Sébastien Baehni to discover how to move beyond generic AI to a system of intelligence that keeps humans in control of decisions that matter.
Starting or Stalling? Solving the Pay Transparency Puzzle While the Rules Shift, With beqom and Erste Group
Although the June 2026 EU Pay Transparency deadline is fast approaching, several member states have confirmed delays to its transposition. Watch this expert session with beqom and Erste Group to discover why waiting isn't an option, and how to proactively prepare your organization's compliance strategy today.
Modeling with Intention: How AI Drives Precision and Productivity at Scale in Compensation
Download the beqom whitepaper to learn how Intentional AI drives precision in compensation, without losing human control.
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EU Pay Transparency Directive: Four Reasons to Act Now Despite Delayed Legislation
Waiting for local EUPTD legislation before acting? Here's why that strategy could cost your organization more than compliance.
EU Pay Transparency Directive Transposition Activity by Nation
2026 is not that far away, and EU member states are working to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive into national law. We’ve created this page to keep track of each member state’s progress.
Explainable AI in Compensation: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How To Get There
Discover why Explainable AI is the foundation of fair, defensible compensation decisions — and what it means for your organization.
