Research Studies

As a service to Northeast Ohio organizations, ERC frequently conducts research studies of the region's employers. The results of the following studies are available to be downloaded and accessed free of charge.

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2010 Research Study Reports
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2010-2011 ERC Wage & Salary Adjustment Survey
(September 2010)
This survey reports actual wage and salary increases and formal pay range adjustments from 2009-2010 as well as projected wage and salary increases and formal pay adjustments for 2010-2011 among 121 Northeast Ohio employers.

Recent Graduate Compensation & Practices Survey
(August 2010)
This survey highlights trends in recent graduate employment and compensation practices among Northeast Ohio employers. The survey details the practices of 60 employers in regards to the hiring and compensation of new college graduates, specifically regarding issues including recruitment, hiring, training, development, and compensation.
Download a short summary of the survey's results here

Employee Relations Survey
(August 2010)
This survey highlights trends in employee relations practices among Northeast Ohio employers. The survey details the practices of 105 employers in regards to employee handbooks and policies; feedback, suggestions, and communication; and retention.
Download a short summary of the survey's results here

Health Care Reform Issues Survey
(August 2010)
This survey highlights trends in how Northeast Ohio employers are dealing with health care reform issues. The survey provides a snapshot perspective of 50 employers in regards to the most current issues and trends surrounding health care reform.
Download a short summary of the survey's results here

ERC/Smart Business Workplace Practices Survey
(August 2010)
This annual survey reports data on local trends for 125 organizations in Northeast Ohio in regards to general workforces as well as benefits, compensation, recruiting, hiring, communication, training, development, and safety practices.

Review of Performance Appraisal Form Practices
(July 2010)
This report is a review of 24 Northeast Ohio employers' performance appraisal forms. The report provides a summary of performance appraisal form trends as well as detailed summaries of the forms used by organizations.

Performance Management Practices Survey
(July 2010)
This survey highlights trends in performance management practices among Northeast Ohio employers. The survey details the practices of 96 employers in regards to performance reviews, performance criteria, role of the supervisor in managing performance, and other performance management issues.
Download a short summary of the survey's results here

Absence Management Practices Survey
(June 2010)
This survey highlights trends in absence management practices among Northeast Ohio employers. The survey details the practices of 99 employers in regards to attendance policies and scheduled/unscheduled absence issues in the workplace.
Download a short summary of the survey's results here

Internship Pay Rates & Practices Survey
(May 2010)
This survey highlights trends in internship employment and compensation practices among Northeast Ohio employers. The survey details the practices of 118 employers in regards to intern hourly pay rates, types of projects and assignments, hiring practices, training and development, performance management, mentorship, supervision, and engagement both during and after the internship.
Download a short summary of the survey's results here

Staffing Practices Survey
(May 2010)
This survey highlights trends in staffing practices among Northeast Ohio employers. The survey details the practices of 71 employers in regards to their current staffing priorities, recruiting and selection methods, and staffing metrics (time to fill, cost per hire, and quality of hire).
Download a short summary of the survey's results here

401K Plans Survey
(March 2010)
This survey highlights trends in 401(K) plans among Northeast Ohio employers. The survey provides a snapshot perspective of 93 employers in regards to the most current issues and trends surrounding 401(K) plan administration. It also provides a review of current practices noted in other research on a national level as a comparison and supplemental reference.
Download a short summary of the survey's results here

Training & Development Practices Survey
(March 2010)
This survey highlights trends in training and development practices among Northeast Ohio employers. The survey details the practices of 54 employers in regards to administering training, identifying and prioritizing training needs, annual training activities, evaluating training, and employee development practices.
Download a short summary of the survey's results here

Payroll Practices Survey
(February 2010)
This survey highlights trends in payroll practices among Northeast Ohio employers. The survey details the practices of 126 employers in regards to payroll administration, departments responsible for payroll processing, types of paycheck stubs used, payroll systems, pay practices for exempt and non-exempt employees, frequency of pay, and issues involving direct deposit.
Download a short summary of the survey's results here.

Department Sizes & Organizational Structure Survey
(February 2010)
This survey highlights trends in department size and organizational structure among Northeast Ohio employers. The survey details the practices of 44 employers in regards to average department size across 14 business functions, general organizational structure,, levels of direct reporting, and span of control.
Download a short summary of the survey's results here.

Economy & HR Survey
(January 2010)
This survey highlights how Northeast Ohio organizations have responded to the economic challenges of the past year and their expectations for staffing, compensation, rewards, and other HR programs in 2010. The survey details the practices of 101 employers in regards to their business performance, adjustments to compensation and rewards practices, specific changes to HR programs, staffing expectations, and reduction in force practices including steps taken prior to layoffs, severance pay, outplacement assistance, continuation of benefits, and early retirement incentives.
Download a short summary of the survey's results here.

2009 Research Study Reports
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Holiday Parties & Festivities
(December 2009)
This survey conducted by ERC seeks to explore how employers have modified their holiday parties, festivities, traditions, and other typical activities this holiday season. 89 employers participated in the survey.

Identifying & Developing High Potential Employees
(December 2009)
This survey conducted by ERC seeks to explore issues regarding how local employers identify and develop high potential employees in their organizations. 26 Northeast Ohio organizations participated in the survey.

2010 ERC Paid Holiday Survey
(November 2009)
This survey was conducted by ERC in November of 2009. Participants were asked to report the holidays they plan to observe as full day and half day holidays in 2010. 340 organizations in Northeast Ohio participated in this survey.

Sustainability in the Workplace
(October 2009)
This survey conducted by ERC seeks to determine the ways in which local employers are engaging in "green" workplace and business practices that are environmentally-friendly and encourage sustainability. 45 organizations in Northeast Ohio participated in the survey.

Impact of the Recession and Beyond
(October 2009)
This survey conducted by ERC seeks to explore how Northeast Ohio employers have been impacted by the recession and their perceptions of what the recovery period will entail for their organizations.  62 Northeast Ohio organizations participated in the survey.

Social Media in the Workplace
(September 2009)
This survey conducted by ERC seeks to explore how Northeast Ohio employers are using social media in the workplace.  It addresses issues such as types of social media applications used, purposes of their use, and the individuals charged with social media responsibilities.

09-10 ERC Wage & Salary Adjustment Survey
(September 2009)
The annual Wage & Salary Adjustment Survey is an invaluable tool for organizations' use in budget planning and making compensation adjustments. 125 Northeast Ohio organizations participated in this survey that reports actual and projected wage and salary adjustments.

Implications of a Pandemic
(August 2009)
This survey conducted by ERC seeks to explore how Northeast Ohio employers would respond and handle a pandemic situation’s impact on the workplace, given the current H1N1 virus.

ERC-SBN Workplace Practices Survey
(August 2009)
This annual survey compiled data on local trends for 145 organizations in Northeast Ohio in regards to general workforces as well as benefits, compensation, recruiting, hiring, communication, training, development, and safety practices.

Low-Cost Reward & Recognition
(July 2009)
This survey conducted by ERC seeks to explore how Northeast Ohio employers are rewarding and recognizing employees during a challenging economic year.  46 Northeast Ohio organizations participated in this survey.

Controlling Compensation Costs
(May 2009)
This survey conducted by ERC seeks to explore how Northeast Ohio employers are controlling compensation costs.  79 Northeast Ohio organizations participated in this survey.

Trends in Employee Benefits
(April 2009)
This survey conducted by ERC seeks to explore recent benefit trends among Northeast Ohio employers.  70 Northeast Ohio organizations participated in this study.

Managing Change & Communication
(March 2009)
This survey conducted by ERC seeks to explore workplace practices related to change management and communication. 48 Northeast Ohio organizations participated in this survey.

Economy & HR Survey
(January 2009)
This survey conducted by ERC seeks to explore how local organizations’ HR practices are being affected by the current economic situation, specifically whether local organizations are changing their 2009 compensation adjustment, incentive, and bonus projections, whether staffing levels will remain steady, and which HR programs will be most affected by the challenges faced in our local and national economies.

2008 Research Study Reports
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Inclement & Adverse Weather Policies & Practices Survey
(November 2008)
This survey conducted by ERC seeks to explore how local organizations handle employee attendance and pay issues when inclement / adverse weather comes into play.  It provides sample policies given by respondents.

2009 Paid Holiday Survey
(November 2008)
This survey was conducted by ERC in October of 2008. 381 organizations participated, 197 (52%) are manufacturers and 170 (45%) are non-manufacturers. Participants were asked to report the holidays they plan to observe as either full-day or half-day, paid holidays in 2009.

Retirement Plans
(October 2008)
This study conducted by ERC seeks to explore retirement plans and benefits provided by local employers.

Absence Management
(September 2008)
This study conducted by ERC seeks to explore how local organizations deal with employee absenteeism.  It provides sample absence policies provided by respondents.  

08-09 ERC Wage & Salary Adjustment Survey
(September 2008)
The annual Wage & Salary Adjustment Survey is an invaluable tool for organizations' use in budget planning and making compensation adjustments. 149 Northeast Ohio organizations participated in this survey that reports actual and projected wage and salary adjustments. 

ERC SBN Workplace Practices Survey
(August 2008)
This annual survey compiled data on local trends for 138 organizations in Northeast Ohio in regards to general workforces as well as benefits, compensation, recruiting, hiring, communication, training, development, and safety practices. This survey is a great tool to benchmark your organization’s workplace practices. 

Health Care Costs & Solutions
(July 2008)
This study conducted by ERC seeks to explore how local organizations are coping with rising health care costs and what factors are most important to them when selecting a health care plan.

Employment Value Proposition
(June 2008)
The following study conducted by ERC seeks to explore how local organizations are branding the value of employment at their organization in order to attract and retain talent.

Intern Pay Rates
(March 2008)
Published in May of 2008, 50 organizations submitted data regarding their intern pay rates and practices for 2008.

Succession Plans
(April 2008)
The following study conducted by ERC seeks to explore succession planning practices and the methodologies and competencies organizations are using to identify their high potential employees.

Variable Pay Plans
(April 2008)
The following study seeks to explore the variable pay plan phenomenon and the local trends that exist in terms of their design & administration.

Performance Management Trends
(February 2008)
The following study was conducted to uncover local trends in performance management processes and systems.

HR Service Delivery Strategy
(February 2008)
The following study was conducted to uncover the dynamics of how HR services are being delivered in Northeast Ohio, particularly among small and medium sized employers.

2008 HR Hot Topics
(January 2008)
This quick survey conducted in January 2008 asked 38 organizations in Northeast Ohio about HR Hot Topics in 2008.

2007 Research Study Reports
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2007 ERC Online Career Center Study
(December 2007) - 364K PDF
The third Online Career Center Study conducted by ERC surveyed 3,440 websites to examine how effectively Northeast Ohio organizations use the Internet to promote their organizations as great places to work and the region as a great place to live.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
(December 2007) - 44K PDF
52 organizations participated in this research study in December, 2007. The following results summary highlights the major trends related to challenges local organizations face in administering FMLA leave.

2008 ERC Annual Paid Holiday Survey
(November 2007) - 118K PDF
This survey was conducted by ERC in October of 2007. 321 organizations participated, 176 (55%) are manufacturers and 145 (45%) are non-manufacturers. Participants were asked to report the holidays they plan to observe as either full-day or half-day, paid holidays in 2007.

PTO & Generational Differences
(September 2007) - 40K PDF
68 organizations participated in this research study in September, 2007. The following results summary highlights paid time off trends.

ERC Quick Survey - Break-in-Service Benefit Credits
(September 2007) - 35K PDF
21 organizations participated in this quick survey in September, 2007 regarding break-in-service benefit cards.

ERC Quick Survey - Union Contract Negotiations
(August 2007) - 28K PDF
This quick survey conducted in September of 2007 asked 20 organizations about their Union Contract Negotiations.

ERC Quick Survey - Public Employee Recognition
(August 2007) - 28K PDF
This quick survey conducted in August of 2007 asked 14 organizations about their Public Employee Recognition.

ERC Quick Survey - Defined Benefit Plans
(August 2007) - 28K PDF
This quick survey conducted in August of 2007 asked 41 organizations about their Defined Benefit Plans.

ERC Quick Survey - Car Allowances
(August 2007) - 28K PDF
This quick survey conducted in July of 2007 asked 32 organizations about monthly car allowances for sales, executive, and professional personnel.

ERC Quick Survey – Elder Care Responsibilities
(July 2007) - 72K PDF
This quick survey conducted in July of 2007 asked 61 organizations about how they deal with employees handling elder care responsibilities.

ERC Quick Survey – 4th of July
(June 2007) - 29K PDF
This quick survey conducted in June 2007 asked 134 organizations about employee time-off on July 4th, 2007.

ERC Quick Survey – Non-Profit Practices
(March 2007) - 34K PDF
This quick survey conducted in March 2007 asked 29 non-profit organizations about their benefits and practices.

ERC Quick Survey - The Role of HR
(January 2007) - 27K PDF
This quick survey conducted in January 2007 asked 94 organizations about the role of HR in their organization.

ERC Quick Survey - HR Hot Topics
(January 2007) - 20K PDF
This quick survey conducted in January 2007 asked 168 organziations in Northeast Ohio about HR Hot Topics in 2007.

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2006 Research Study Reports
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ERC Quick Survey - Office Holiday Parties
(November 2006) - 41K PDF
According to the quick survey conducted by ERC in November 2006, regarding organizations’ plans for celebrating the upcoming holiday season, more than 85% of employers said they will be having a holiday party.

2007 ERC Annual Paid Holiday Survey
(November 2006) - 46K PDF
This survey was conducted by ERC in October of 2006. 208 organizations participated, 107 (51%) are manufacturers and 101 (49%) are non-manufacturers. Participants were asked to report the holidays they plan to observe as either full-day or half-day, paid holidays in 2007.

Northeast Ohio Poverty Rates Well Below National Average
(September 2006) - 25K PDF
The release of the 2005 American Community Survey by the United States Census Bureau has caused quite a stir in Northeast Ohio. Cleveland was ranked the poorest large city in the US for the second time in three years, edging out Detroit and Miami. As is often the case, however, it seems that only one side of the story has been told. The
challenges facing the city of Cleveland may be overshadowing better news for the Northeast Ohio region.

2006 ERC Brain Gain Study
(September 2006) - 694K PDF
A groundbreaking study conducted by ERC in the spring of 2006 that asked juniors and seniors at Northeast Ohio (NEO) colleges and universities how they are conducting their job search, what their expectations are, and what they like and dislike most about NEO. The goal of the study was to help local employers understand graduates’ expectations when entering the workforce to better enable them to attract and keep talented young people in NEO.

Department Sizes
(September 2006) - 58K PDF
In September 2006, ERC surveyed Northeast Ohio employers regarding the size of various departments at their organizations. The following report summarizes the responses of the 151 organizations that participated in the survey.

2006 Top Performer Survey
(September 2006)
This study, conducted by ERC in conjunction with the 2006 NorthCoast 99 program, asked top performers at Northeast Ohio organizations what they look for in a job and their job satisfaction. 856 Top Performers from Northeast Ohio participated in the survey.

Early Retirement Incentives
(August 2006) - 77K PDF
This follow-up survey to a study originally posted in December of 2005 asked which early retirement incentives organizations currently offer to employees and what limitations are placed on those incentives. 106 organizations participated in the survey, and of those, 6 currently offer some form of early retirement incentives.

2006-2007 ERC Wage & Salary Adjustment Survey
(July 2006)
The Annual Wage & Salary Adjustment Survey is an invaluable tool for organizations' use in budget planning and making compensation adjustments. The survey is currently closed for participation and the results will be published in early September.

Compensating Sales People
(June 2006) - 33K PDF
In this this quick survey, 13 participating Northeast Ohio organizations reported the average mix of compensation methods used to reward sales people.

Recent College Graduates Survey
(May 2006) - 101K PDF
34 Northeast Ohio organizations participated in this quick survey about recent college graduate starting salaries and how employers determine starting pay.

New Hire Turnover and Recruiting Outsourcing
(April 2006) - 41K PDF
81 Northeast Ohio employers participated in this survey that reports annual turnover rates of new hires after their first 90 days of employment.

Tuition Reimbursement for Online Courses
(April 2006) - 49K PDF
In April 2006, ERC asked Northeast Ohio employers whether or not they offered tuition reimbursement for online courses for their employees. 124 organizations participated in the poll.

Hybrid Vehicle Incentives
(March 2006) - 73K PDF
In March 2006, ERC conducted the following quick survey to see what Northeast Ohio employers are doing (if anything) to encourage their employees to purchase more environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles. 

Pay Rates for Interns
(March 2006) - 72K PDF
In March 2006, ERC surveyed Northeast Ohio employers regarding their average pay rates for interns. The following report summarizes the responses of the 74 organizations that participated in the survey.

Preventing the Flu in Your Workplace
(January 2006) - 88K PDF
In January of 2006, 154 Northeast Ohio employers answered the question, "What is your organization doing to help prevent the spread of the flu in your workplace?" Click on the title to view the entire results.

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2005 Research Study Reports
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Early Retirement Incentives
(December 2005) - 77K PDF
This survey, conducted by ERC in December of 2005, inquired which early retirement incentives organizations currently offer to employees and what limitations are placed on those incentives. 130 organizations participated in the survey, and of those, 23 currently offer some form of early retirement incentives.

Employing Foreign Locals
(November 2005) - 82K PDF
This survey, conducted by ERC in November of 2005, inquired local manufacturers about how they are reaching and recruiting Northeast Ohio's rich and diverse populations of foreign locals - groups of people who have relatively recently immigrated to the United States and are eagerly seeking work in their new home country. 21 organizations participated in this survey.

2005 ERC Job Attributes Importance Survey
(September 2005)
A groundbreaking study conducted by ERC in conjunction with the 2005 NorthCoast 99 program that asked top performers at Northeast Ohio organizations what they look for a job and what motivates their performance.

2005 NorthCoast 99 Winners Summary Report
(September 2005)
The official summary report for the 2005 NorthCoast 99 winners.

2005 ERC Online Career Center Study
(September 2005)
A follow-up innovative study conducted by ERC to examine how effectively Northeast Ohio organizations use the Internet to promote their organizations as great places to work and the region as a great place to live.

Mileage Reimbursement Check-Up
(September 2005) - 77K PDF
In September of 2005, ERC conducted this brief survey in response to the sudden and significant increase in gasoline prices. Many ERC members were interested in learning if as a result, the rate at which employers reimburse their employees for mileage would be affected.

Tuition Reimbursement for Online Courses
(March 2005) - 83K PDF
In a March issue of Quick Hits, ERC members were asked to complete the following survey about tuition reimbursement policies for online courses. Twelve (12) organizations participated.

Compensating Call Center Employees
(February 2005) - 84K PDF
In a February issue of Quick Hits, ERC members were asked to complete the following survey about how their call center employees are compensated. Nine (9) organizations participated.

Emergency Shut Downs
(January 2005) - 96K PDF
ERC conducted this survey to learn how Northeast Ohio employers handle emergency shut downs with employees (whether as a result of severe weather, other "acts of god", war, etc.).

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2004 Research Study Reports
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Employee Labels and Discipline Policies
(December 2004) - 87K PDF
ERC asked Northeast Ohio employers how they refer to their employees and whether or not unpaid time off is used in their disciplinary procedures.

Opting Out: What Are the Incentives?
(November 2004) - 84K PDF
ERC surveyed Northeast Ohio employers regarding the types of incentives offered to employees to opt-out of health insurance coverage.

New Year's Holiday Survey Results
(August 2004) - 83K PDF

Gas Prices Not Driving Up Reimbursement Rates
(June 2004) - 70K PDF

Employers Take Similar Approach to Weekend Holidays
(April 2004) - 82K PDF
ERC asked Northeast Ohio employers what their approach will be for the Independence Day and Christmas Holidays which fall on weekends in 2004.

Picture Not-So-Perfect - Camera Phone Survey Results
(February 2004) - 86K PDF

2004 NorthCoast 99 Summary Report
(September 2004) - 408K PDF
The official summary report for the 2004 NorthCoast 99 program.