Salary transparency is still a fresh concept in Sri Lanka. While it’s not yet widespread, we’re starting to see some early trends emerge locally as companies experiment with openness about pay.
Is There a Real Trend in the World?
Yes, salary transparency is a growing global trend, especially in places like the U.S. and Europe, where laws and worker expectations are pushing companies to share pay details. A real-world example is Buffer, a tech company that adopted full salary transparency in 2013. They publicly share every employee’s salary online, from the CEO to entry-level staff. Buffer says this openness builds trust and boosts job applications, proving it’s not just a passing fad but a shift toward fairness and accountability in workplaces worldwide. Sri Lanka might be behind, but the global movement could inspire change here too.
Benefits of Sharing Salary in Job Ads
Posting salaries in job ads can attract the right candidates. People who know what they want and won’t waste time if the pay doesn’t match. It also cuts recruitment effort by filtering out mismatches early, saving companies time and resources.
Challenges with Transparent Salary
However, transparency isn’t all smooth sailing. One challenge is employee morale. As an example, at Reddit, which removed salary negotiations to promote fairness, some workers still felt uneasy comparing their pay to new hires, showing how openness can spark tension. Another issue is competitors poaching talent. If a rival firm sees your salary range, they might offer more to lure staff away.
Possible Candidate Pitfalls
Candidates need to watch out for tricks too.
Bait and switch recruitment: Some companies post high salaries in ads but never hire. Their real goal is to look like a top paying company.
Selective transparency: Organizations might display salaries only for their highest-paying roles while keeping compensation for average positions undisclosed.
Range manipulation: Some employers post extremely wide salary ranges (e.g., “50,000-120,000 based on experience”) that provide little meaningful information
Salary transparency is creeping into Sri Lanka, following a real global trend. It promises better hiring and trust but brings challenges and pitfalls too. For now, both companies and candidates here need to tread carefully as this idea takes root.
A multifaceted professional known for diverse interests and contributions in various fields, including management, technology, education and entrepreneurship. Also the founder of ITPro.lk, bringing a unique perspective and industry knowledge to writing.