286: Total Rewards in 2025 with Gord Frost of Mercer

This episode of Punk Rock HR is proudly sponsored by Mercer. Mercer helps organizations create Total Rewards strategies that attract top talent, inspire engagement, and drive results. To learn more, visit mercer.com/insights/total-rewards. On this episode of the Punk Rock HR Podcast, Laurie sits down with Gord Frost, a seasoned pro in HR consulting and currently a global rewards solution leader at Mercer. With over 30 years in the field, Gord has a deep well of knowledge about creating total rewards strategies beyond salary and bonuses. He shares insights on how companies can develop reward systems that resonate with their employees and align with their core values. Laurie and Gord discuss innovative ways of blending benefits, healthcare, and financial well-being into total rewards systems. This approach helps companies communicate their values more effectively, attract top talent, and increase employee engagement. The conversation also touches on how AI is changing the HR landscape by automating routine tasks, freeing HR professionals to focus on more strategic and impactful work. You’ll learn key elements for designing successful total rewards packages for future workforces. These include empowering managers to support their teams better and promoting pay transparency to build trust and fairness within the company. Laurie and Gord also discuss modern employee analytics as essential tools for understanding workforce dynamics and tailoring reward strategies to fit a diverse and evolving group of employees. Don’t miss this conversation emphasizing a comprehensive approach to total rewards to boost organizational effectiveness and employee satisfaction. In this episode, you will hear: Importance of crafting comprehensive total rewards strategies to attract and retain talent Role of AI and advanced analytics in transforming HR processes and enhancing total rewards leadership Need for collaboration among HR teams to break down silos and improve employee engagement Manager enablement as a critical factor in effective communication about compensation and benefits Growing significance of pay transparency regulations and preparing managers for open discussions Emphasis on employee well-being and its integration into total rewards strategies Vision for HR as a strategic advisory powerhouse by 2026, focusing on proactive talent strategies Resources from this Episode Gord Frost on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gord-frost Mercer Total Rewards: mercer.com/insights/total-rewards Five strategies to future-fit your Total Rewards programs:  www.mercer.com/future-fit-rewards  Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Powered by the WRKdefined Podcast Network.