We introduce the concept of pay education as a structured and intentional organizational process for teaching and learning about pay systems, policies, and their implications. Distinct from pay learning, which is an individual’s acquisition of pay-related knowledge, pay education is a formalized, guided approach emphasizing the organizational role in fostering pay knowledge. Rooted in adult learning and constructivist education principles, pay education is presented as a dynamic, interactive process, encompassing both the technicalities of pay components and the psychological and sociological factors influencing pay perceptions. We propose a model illustrating how this approach leads to improved understanding of pay, thereby enhancing decision-making, pay satisfaction, and equity perceptions among employees. The model highlights key phases such as program design and individual learning processes, emphasizing the transformation from a singular focus on individual learning to an organization-wide strategy in pay understanding. This approach significantly enriches the literature by challenging and expanding the inherent assumptions about learning in pay information disclosure and pay communications, offering a more comprehensive understanding of how organizations can effectively educate and engage employees in the complexities of pay systems and policies.
