Performance, pay & rewards · Core

Total rewards

Also called: total reward

ELI5

The combined value of pay, benefits, recognition and employee experience.

Used in conversation

“The announcement should not get ahead of the agreed process for total rewards.”

Pitch context

You will see “Total rewards” 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