Job Evaluation Methods
4
Methods
Ranking, Classification, Point Factor, Market
1
Most Defensible
Point Factor — quantitative + internal
Hay
The Brand
Proprietary point factor system
trade speed for defensibility
The Four Methods at a Glance
Defensibility climbs as you move from Ranking to Point Factor. Speed drops in the same direction. Pick your trade-off.
Ranking
best for · Very small orgs
Classification
best for · Federal GS, large bureaucracies
Point Factor
best for · Pay-equity scrutiny, complex orgs
Market Pricing
best for · Dynamic labor markets
The Four Compensable Factors
Point Factor breaks each job into these four scoring dimensions. Each dimension subdivides into degrees with point values.
Skill
Knowledge, education, experience
Effort
Mental and physical demand
Responsibility
Accountability and consequence
Working Conditions
Environment and hazards
Exam Traps
Ranking is fastest, NOT most accurate
Indefensible under pay equity scrutiny. The exam treats Ranking as the cheap-and-fragile option.
Point Factor is INTERNAL
Compensable factors are evaluated internally. Market Pricing brings external salary data in. Different orientations.
Classification ≠ Point Factor
Classification slots jobs into pre-built grades. Point Factor builds the grade by analyzing each job. Easy to confuse.
Hay is point-factor based
Hay Method (Know-How, Problem Solving, Accountability) is a proprietary point factor system, not a separate fifth method.
Ranking does not survive court
Fast and indefensible. If pay equity comes up in litigation, ranking systems collapse.
Internal vs external
Point Factor builds defensibility from inside. Market Pricing brings the market in from outside.
Sort all books by which seems most valuable. Subjective. Quick. Hard to defend.
Pre-defined sections (Reference, Fiction, Children). Slot each book into the matching section.
Each book scored on length, difficulty, illustration count, age relevance. Add the points. Total determines the section.
Look at how libraries down the street price the same book and match.
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