Discussion Topic Chapter 11

I think that it is really important to keep pay structures fairly balanced in each department or division at a company and should be based on skill level, training, and the job or tasks involved in the job. It always seems silly to me to have the pay scale be even across the board when obviously not everyone is doing the same work, has the same level of skill and ability or experience so it doesn't seem fair or smart. Company's have a harder time filling in positions when they try to figure out some low-ball number to pay people and see how low they can pay and get away with it. Unless you're cool with only hiring high schoolers.
I worked at a place that paid the same amount for all (call-center) employees, regardless of the department. This seemed hardly fair because the data entry employees were making just as much as the people that dealt with ticked off customers all day, or talked customers through technical issues. They also were not big on pay raises even if you were full - time not just seasonal employees. I don't know if they ever figured out they would keep more people around and build up good rapport with the employees and the employees in turn would improve their skill sets and make the customer service procedures more smooth.

What sorts of problems have you come across with companies that didn't seem to have a good working pay structure? What are some things that you could do as an HR professional to help make the structure happen or to make it work better if there are any issues with the one currently in use?