There’s no shortage of theory when it comes to employee engagement, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution; however, there is one key element glaringly missing from the conversation: compensation. It’s an uncomfortable topic, but one that needs to be addressed. While it’s true that compensation is not the only driver of engagement, and well-compensated employees aren't necessarily more engaged than their less fortunate counterparts, consider the numbers: Only 29 percent of hourly workers and 41 percent of salaried workers are satisfied with their current pay. “We’ve seen a marked shift in candidate attitudes regarding pay scales,” said William Sugarman, founder of Astor Professional Search. “In a tight labor market, with employers offering similar benefits and perks, salary is often the bottom line in their decisions.” If an organization is serious about establishing a culture of engagement, it's high time to have a frank and transparent discussion about compensation. Failing to include compensation in the conversation will undermine efforts elsewhere.