Employees may receive both direct and indirect compensation as part of their salary packages. Direct compensation is any pay regularly and directly made to an employee; indirect compensation covers benefits that may be part of the employment contract.
Wages and Salary
Direct compensation includes salary and wages paid. This includes contractual pay, overtime, commissions, payment for unscheduled time, workers' compensation payments and any retroactive pay.
Holidays and Leave
Payment for holidays and leave is also included in direct compensation. Leave includes sick time, funeral leave, maternity leave, military duty or other paid time away from work.
Bonuses
All forms of bonuses are included in direct compensation. These include bonuses for performance, longevity, signing and others.
Other Allowances
Other paid or reimbursed allowances are included in direct compensation, including travel and meals and some medical care when it is paid by the employee and reimbursed.
Indirect Compensation
What doesn't fall under direct compensation is indirect compensation, of which the employee is the beneficiary, but does not receive directly. Such compensation includes contributions to retirement accounts, tax contributions, and medical and other forms of insurance.
References
Writer Bio
Joseph Nicholson is an independent analyst whose publishing achievements include a cover feature for "Futures Magazine" and a recurring column in the monthly newsletter of a private mint. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Florida and is currently attending law school in San Francisco.