Performance, pay & rewards · Core
Compensation
Also called: remuneration
ELI5
Pay and financial rewards provided for work.
Used in conversation
“Who is accountable for compensation, and who is affected by it?”
Pitch context
You will see “Compensation” in organisation plans, workforce reviews, change programmes and people reports when the discussion reaches performance, pay & rewards.
Why it matters: In performance, pay & rewards, a loose definition can change rights, obligations, approval, disclosure or enforceability.
Caution
Meaning, enforceability and required process vary by jurisdiction and agreement; this definition is not legal advice.
Sources & evidence · 2
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — BLS GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- OECD — G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023Direct source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16