The week four chapters were interesting to me because compensation, both financial and non-financial, and safety are important to me in the workplace. Until this course, I had only considered these topics from the employee's perspective, not the employer's. I have learned that it is important to look at issues from both points of view to get a clear picture of the issues. This week I have chosen several subtopics within these chapters that to me are the most profound. These include the determinants of direct financial compensation, non-financial compensation, and health and safety benefits. When it comes to compensation, HR managers are very busy. Determining how much to pay for each job involves considering several factors. These factors include the job, the organization, the employee, and the job market. When reviewing the job, the HR manager will review a job analysis, description and evaluation to help set the salary. They will also examine the organization in terms of compensation policies, organizational level and contribution capacity. HR managers must also look at the employee. This includes employee performance, skills, expertise, seniority, experience, organizational affiliation, potential, political influence and luck. They can also examine the labor market using surveys of wages, opportunities, cost of living, unions, economics, and related legislation (Mondy & Noe, 2012). According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2013) “the most important factor influencing an individual's rate of pay is the type of work performed” (p. 1). However, a job is only worth what the market will bear. Some knowledge, skills,...... middle of paper...... Association. (2013). In the factors involved in determining salary. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.asha.org/Careers/job/Factors-Involved-in-Determining-Salary/Hill, D. C., & Seabrook, K. A. (2013). Safety and sustainability: understanding business value. Occupational Safety, 58(6), 81-92. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.arbor.edu:80/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1399698704?accountid=13998 Life Application Study Bible: New International Version. (1997). Grand Rapids, MI: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and Zondervan Publishing House.Mondy, R.W., & Noe, R.M. (2012). Human Resource Management (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.US Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2013). Professional Employment and Wages, May 2012. In Professional Employment Statistics. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131023.htm