Chapter 5Salary

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We have all heard the expression “He’s worth his weight in gold.” You may also have heard the expression “She’s worth her salt.” Some lexicographers trace this back to ancient times when salt—a natural preservative—was at least as valuable as gold. Salary, another valuable asset, may also trace its roots to salt, deriving from the Latin sal.

Today, salary is the cornerstone of the compensation program. It is the base upon which the other elements of compensation are built. This justifies its other name—base pay. Some refer to base salary, which would suggest that there are other parts of salary. However, with the possible exceptions ...

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