Pawtucket Mayor Explores Alternative Employee Benefits After Salary Rejection

Pawtucket explores innovative employee benefits beyond salary increases.

News Summary

In response to the Pawtucket City Council’s rejection of a salary increase for municipal employees, Mayor Donald Grebien is seeking alternative employee perks. The city aims to enhance job satisfaction with options like remote work and daycare facilities while ensuring its financial health. Engagement surveys will be conducted to gather employee preferences, and a salary analysis is underway to assess competitiveness against the private sector. The recent council decision has prompted a shift in focus towards non-monetary benefits amidst ongoing hiring challenges in the city.

Pawtucket – Mayor Donald Grebien is seeking alternative employee perks in response to the Pawtucket City Council’s recent rejection of salary range increases for municipal employees. The decision has sparked a new approach to employee compensation while ensuring financial responsibility to residents remains a priority.

After the council voted 6-3 against raising salary ranges – just 15 months after a previous pay increase – Grebien indicated that the city is actively exploring employee benefits beyond traditional salary hikes. Possible perks may include options for remote work, the establishment of a daycare center in the upcoming City Hall, and allowances for pets at work. This new strategy aims to enhance overall job satisfaction amidst the backdrop of important budgetary considerations.

The city has initiated the distribution of engagement surveys to gather insights on employee preferences and needs. Grebien has highlighted a noticeable difference in work/life balance expectations between long-term employees and newer generations, bringing attention to the evolving work environment. These surveys will provide essential data to tailor employee benefits that address the current workforce’s desires.

In parallel, the human resources department is conducting a comprehensive salary analysis to be completed by early next year. This analysis will compare municipal salaries to those in the private sector, providing valuable insights into the competitiveness of Pawtucket’s pay. Despite concerns from some councilors questioning the necessity of salary increases for municipal staff, who often earn more than the average resident, Grebien assured citizens of the city’s strong financial health, highlighted by its highest bond rating to date.

While the city’s current job turnover poses challenges, it is still actively hiring across various positions. Recent resignations, particularly that of the city’s human resources director, have underscored the issues surrounding noncompetitive salaries. Numerous positions remain unfilled as the administration grapples with the need for improved operational efficiencies and effective strategies for talent retention.

Balancing budget constraints with the goal of attracting and hiring quality employees is a challenge that Grebien acknowledges. The Pawtucket City Council recently approved the fiscal year 2026 budget, which includes provisions for salary increases for both union and non-union employees in accordance with previous contracts. For non-union employees, an average salary range increase of 3% has been granted, with raises contingent upon performance evaluations conducted by the human resources department.

The council’s approval is also essential for any salary adjustments that exceed current salary ranges. As employees await the outcomes of evaluations that will dictate potential earnings adjustments, the city remains committed to fostering a work environment that aligns with employee expectations and enhances job satisfaction.

In summary, the recent decision by the Pawtucket City Council to reject salary increases has prompted Mayor Grebien to seek alternative employee perks and address the evolving needs of municipal employees. Through engagement surveys and a forthcoming salary analysis, the city is working towards solutions that balance employee welfare and budgetary responsibility, all while ensuring that Pawtucket remains an attractive and competitive employer within the region.