The argument for pay transparency

Why the big secret with salaries?

I know this is a bone of contention in most organisations, so I’m simply going to come out with my feelings on the topic.

Pay transparency is important.

Until we are able to remove the secrecy of salaries we will never be able to achieve any kind of pay equity in our workplaces.

This starts at the beginning with job adverts.

PLEASE - I BEG YOU

Include salaries on your job adverts.

It is only fair for someone to understand what you pay for your role BEFORE they apply for it.

Would you be happy doing your supermarket shop with “competitively priced” items, only to find out what you needed to pay at the till?

No chance!

So why do this to potential employees?

Benchmark your roles properly and pay in line with that.

And, if you are in the habit of using someone’s previous salary as an indicator of what you will pay them in your role, please give this practice a rethink too.

The only thing you are really rewarding is their ability to negotiate. And this is full of bias.

Do you really want that to be the driving force in your organisation's pay structure?

By advertising your salary, they will know your expectations and can make a choice to apply or not.

If the thought of full pay transparency makes you uncomfortable because you’re worried your current staff will see you advertising a role similar to theirs, but for a higher salary (as is often the case sadly)...

Sit with that.

What’s REALLY wrong with that picture?

What do YOU think about pay transparency in your organisations?