Today's Update: Total Rewards

September 1, 2026

Dear Student Life team,

If you haven’t seen it yet, merit notifications are available via Workday for the 2026 fiscal year to all Ohio State employees who receive a merit base pay increase and/or merit lump-sum amount. Any changes take effect today. Your merit notification specifies if you are receiving a base pay increase, a lump sum increase or both. If you are not receiving a merit increase this year, you will not receive a notification.

The message will outline your salary. But do you know how much you really get in compensation from the university?

Your paycheck is one element, but it’s not the only way you are rewarded for your work. Health benefits, retirement contributions, paid time off and more combine to form the tangible components of your total compensation.

Human Resources has a new tool to give you a full picture. Your Total Rewards Statement is now available in Workday. “Total compensation” is defined as the financial value of your earnings plus Ohio State’s contributions to the benefits you selected or automatically received during the previous 12 months. The information is updated each time you are paid and typically reflects data from the past year.

Here is how to see your statement:

Hover over the Personal icon

Select Benefits and Pay Hub

Click View Total Rewards Statement

The Total Rewards Statement was developed in response to employee feedback requesting clearer and more transparent information about pay and benefits. It demonstrates Ohio State’s dedication to being a workplace of choice and aligns with the Talent and Culture focus in the Education for Citizenship 2035 strategic plan.

We have the best student affairs team in the nation and by investing in our people, we aim to attract, retain and develop the Scarlet and Greatest talent around!

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University