(のうりょくきゅう)

のうりょくきゅう
noun
merit pay; ability-based pay; performance-based salary
1. merit pay; ability-based pay; performance-based salary
A compensation system in which an employee's pay is determined by their skills, abilities, or performance rather than by seniority or a fixed scale.
この会社(かいしゃ)能力給(のうりょくきゅう)導入(どうにゅう)している。
This company has introduced merit pay.
能力給(のうりょくきゅう)なら(わか)社員(しゃいん)にもチャンスがある。
With merit pay, even young employees have a chance.
年功序列(ねんこうじょれつ)から能力給(のうりょくきゅう)への移行(いこう)(すす)んでいる。
The shift from seniority-based pay to merit-based pay is progressing.

A compound of 能力(のうりょく) (ability, competence) and (きゅう) (pay, salary). Describes a pay system that rewards individual performance and skills rather than tenure.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 能力給(のうりょくきゅう)導入(どうにゅう)する: to introduce merit pay
  • 能力給(のうりょくきゅう)制度(せいど): merit pay system
  • 能力給(のうりょくきゅう)移行(いこう)する: to transition to merit pay
  • 能力給(のうりょくきゅう)年功給(ねんこうきゅう): merit pay and seniority pay

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 年功給(ねんこうきゅう): seniority-based pay — the traditional Japanese system where pay increases with years of service
  • 成果給(せいかきゅう): results-based pay — pay based specifically on output or results; slightly different from 能力給(のうりょくきゅう), which considers skills and abilities regardless of specific outcomes
  • 歩合給(ぶあいきゅう): commission-based pay — pay calculated as a percentage of sales or transactions

CULTURAL NOTE:
Traditionally, Japanese companies relied on 年功序列(ねんこうじょれつ) (seniority-based promotion and pay). Since the 1990s, many companies have shifted toward 能力給(のうりょくきゅう) or 成果主義(せいかしゅぎ) (results-oriented management) to attract talent and improve competitiveness. This shift has been a major topic in Japanese business culture.