wage-scale

The company uses a wage-scale to determine employee salaries.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A schedule or system of wages: "wage-scale" refers to a structured list or framework that shows the different rates of pay assigned to various jobs, levels of experience, or positions within an organization, industry, or government. It establishes a hierarchy of compensation based on factors such as skill, seniority, or job classification.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The company introduced a new wage-scale to ensure fair pay for all employees. (A structured pay system was implemented to guarantee equitable compensation.)
  • Union negotiations focused on revising the wage-scale for factory workers. (Discussions centered on adjusting the pay rates for different job grades.)
  • Teachers protested for an updated wage-scale that reflects their experience and qualifications. (They demanded a revised pay schedule based on seniority and credentials.)

Advanced Usage

• "to establish a wage-scale": to create a formal pay structure for an organization or industry.

  • The government mandated that all public sector employers establish a transparent wage-scale. (A clear pay system must be set up by law.)

• "wage-scale adjustment": a change made to the pay rates within an existing schedule.

  • An annual wage-scale adjustment was made to account for inflation. (The pay rates were updated to reflect rising costs of living.)

Variants and Related Words

• Wage (n): a fixed regular payment earned for work or services.

  • Her hourly wage is $15. (Her pay per hour is $15.)

• Scale (n): a system of graded levels or steps.

  • The salary scale ranges from entry-level to executive positions. (The pay levels increase with rank.)

• Wage-rate (n): the amount of pay per unit of time (e.g., per hour or per week).

  • The minimum wage-rate is set by law. (The lowest legal pay per hour is established.)

Synonyms

• Pay scale: a system of wage levels for different jobs or grades.
• Salary schedule: a structured list of salaries for positions in an organization.
• Compensation framework: an organized plan for determining employee pay.

Related Idioms

• On a sliding scale: a system where rates vary according to conditions (e.g., income or experience).

  • The company's wage-scale operates on a sliding scale based on years of service. (Pay increases gradually with seniority.)

• To work one's way up the scale: to advance to higher pay levels through promotion or experience.

  • He worked his way up the wage-scale from apprentice to master technician. (He progressed through the pay grades by gaining skills.)