Human Resource certifications do not mean just a set of letters after your name. Although you can add the PHR or SPHR letters after your name after you pass the exam. There are many responsibilities that come along with this certification including employee relations and factors involving compensation. Remember that for the exam the questions will focus on your daily activities you perform during human resource functions.

To forego concerns about labor overtime, overtime claims, wage claims and to insure employee performance businesses often implement creative commission structures designed to benefit the motivated employee and the employer. California overtime and compensation laws are generally very protective of workers and the legal system for the most part protects workers against creative commission schemes.

Overtime, straight time and other compensation for entering a trainee programs is often an area of litigation. Training is often an area of litigation where overtime claims are filed to demand not only payment for overtime, but for straight time when wages are not paid, because the rules are often misinterpreted.

Overtime lawsuits arise when individuals feel their overtime rights have been violated, and sometimes they arise when trainees are unhappy because of training hours in excess of 8 hours per day.

Some of the highest paid employees in the country relative to their skill, education and knowledge are service workers that regularly receive tips. Dancers, waiters, waitresses, and bartenders often earn more than professionals including nurses and lawyers. It is not uncommon for a bartender to earn $80,000 a year or a dancer to earn $200,000 a year.

Like the rat in the cage we are driven by rewards. It's only human and also perhaps rat nature. Suffice it to say it's nature.

So when compensation, the reward, becomes stagnant so does productivity. If like rats we are paid by the time we spend in the cage, then the expected level of productivity is simple compliance.

By focusing on minimum standards employees tend to get there and stay there; a comfort zone or twilight zone or Bermuda Triangle whatever else it can be called.

Among company benefits, more often than not employees rank health insurance as the more important. It is estimated that more than 60% of American who have health care receives it through some type of employer sponsored group plan. While various state regulations differ, there are certain benefits to having coverage through an employer. This makes the offering of health care plans a strong bargaining tool.