How Salary Transparency Can Help You (and Your Workplace)

How much money do you make?
Did that question make you nervous? Uncomfortable? Or, maybe, excited? Historically speaking, talking about your salary (especially at work) was off limits. But things are changing - “salary transparency” is becoming the new norm, and for good reason. When people are aware of how much those around them make, everyone gets paid more fairly, which makes workplaces more equitable.
But what does salary transparency actually look like in the workplace? How do you broach the subject with your coworkers, boss, friends, and even strangers? Ascend editor Kelsey Alpaio talks with David Burkus, an organizational psychologist, to learn more about the pros and cons of salary transparency, how it can play out at the company level, and how to make it work for you. She also speaks with Hannah Williams, a content creator who makes a living off of asking strangers how much money they make, and Carolyn Kopprasch, the Chief of Staff at Buffer, a company who is practicing “radical transparency” by listing all of their employees’ salaries online.
This video originally published on HBR's Ascend KZbin Channel in January, 2023.
Produced by Andy Robinson, Kelsey Alpaio
Video by Andy Robinson, Elena Lake, Elainy Mata
Editing by Andy Robinson
Animation and Design by Alex Belser and Karen Player
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#Transparency #SalaryNegotiation #GenderEquity

[@n.manasseh8615]

If you are a go-getter type A person, you may want to first try and get some real feedback from your customers, co-workers and supervisor. They probably see things you don’t notice. Once you have a good idea of the quantity and quality of your work and work performance; then you’ll have a realistic gage for comparing salaries. Also you’re probably less likely to come off as some slacker complaining about pay when everyone around you is secretly wondering why your boss hasn’t fired you yet. 😎

[@lantianyu1050]

I like the last part, everyone speaks about their salary, that's sweet!

[@andile5945]

Whilst we're at it, lets also declassify intellegence files. There doesnt seem to be a clear purpose behind all of this.

[@goldsilverandiamonds]

It's no one's business how much anyone makes. It's a personal question and none of anyones business. Not every emoloyee brings the same value, good attitude, talent and skills to a job. So clearly pay should and must vary. Mind your own business is something the younger generation must learn. Stop being a nosey entitled busybody.

[@h2_]

why are you reuploading this?

[@harvardbusinessreview]

to reach a broader audience on our main channel.

[@wghost1]

I don't appreciate nosy people , do you hear me asking about you're personal life? If you ask me such question my response will be why would you like to know! Or what's in it for you! that makes more logical sense to me

[@ChrisAkhoeneto]

Interesting conversation. It is indeed a generational shift. Salary transparency is an idea whose time has come.

[@goldsilverandiamonds]

People should mind their own business and improve their skills, attitude, value, performance in their job. If they want more money. What your co-worker makes is none of your business.

[@wghost1]

@@goldsilverandiamonds , agreed , that's more like asking how much is the suite you're wearing 😄

[@01rnr01]

The soviet union and the communist block countries in general also had salary transparency - what a coincidence…

[@01rnr01]

If you want to know if you earn the right wage just try to get a job that pays you more… in your area, with your personal traits, in the kind of companies you’d like to work in, etc

[@sonofdog1]

This is political activism masquerading as good advice. t's absolutely terrible advice, as anyone who's actually spent some time in private sector workplaces will tell you. I've been privy to the fallout from salary leaks a few times before. From actual salary reductions: someone who was very, competent and hard working and had negotiated a higher starting salary than her less experienced co-workers but was foolish enough to reveal her salary (she left for a higher paying job within a few months after the reduction) To Firings: disgruntled employees (again who were less experienced and in a different role) being jealous and becoming so toxic they had to be let go. In general, corporations and companies pay people in line with how valuable they are to the organization.