The Piece-Rate System in the Jewelry Industry
Katrina's Jewelry Shop and the Piece-Rate System
Katrina owns a jewelry shop that specializes in selling handmade jewelry. The shop pays its employees a fixed amount for each bracelet and necklace they produce, regardless of the time taken to create each piece. This payment method is an example of a piece-rate system, which compensates workers based on the quantity of items they produce.
How does the Piece-Rate System Work?
This is an illustration of a piece-rate system, which pays for work based on the quantity produced. "Work compensated for according to the number of units produced," is how the American Heritage Lexicon defines that term "piece-rate." The foundation of a piece rate must be an exact sum paid for accomplishing a specific work or producing a specific item.
Does Piece Rate have an Advantage over Hour Rate?
Hourly compensation is the same regardless of how much work is done, whereas piecework pay is based on how much a worker is able to achieve each day. For example, a company may want to have a labor cost per unit of $0.10 or less. This makes the piece-rate system advantageous in terms of productivity and cost-effectiveness.
How does the piece-rate system benefit both employees and business owners in the jewelry industry? The piece-rate system benefits employees by incentivizing productivity and efficient work, as they are compensated based on the quantity of items produced. For business owners, this system helps in controlling labor costs, motivating workers to increase output, and ensuring a consistent supply of handmade jewelry for customers.