An increasing number of people advocate being open about salaries as a way to fix pay iniquities and encourage employees to ask for more compensation, but there are many cultural and professional taboos around the practice. The Onion looks at the pros and cons of salary transparency.
PRO
Sharing logic behind compensation makes it easier for employees to understand why they’re worth less
CON
Employees might not respect CEO if they knew he only makes $20 million a year
PRO
Dicking around all day now a form of wage protest
CON
Jack still going to eat more than his fair share of donuts every Friday
PRO
Always nice to have another thing to be cripplingly insecure about
CON
One less sexy little secret
PRO
Interns will find out who’s gaining the most experience
CON
Rude to discuss how much you make in mixed company
PRO
Helps employees determine which side of angry mob to be on
CON
If handled incorrectly pay transparency could result in workers getting fairly compensated