If you knew what your workmates earn, would it make things awkward?

In Britain, new job postings all show the salary, or at least the offered salary range, but here in Canada, I’ve noticed that it can often go until the final rounds of interviews before you hear about the compensation they can provide.

Sure, at first, it may be a little strange to know that a colleague in a similar position as you is earning more or less than you. It would, however give you more power as an employee to make sure that you’re being treated fairly.

When you got the job, your salary was calculated by your level of seniority, skills, experience and abilities. It was also worked out by how much you asked for. Did you ask for too little? Would asking for too much hurt your chances of getting the job in the first place?

What about when you’re going to ask for that elusive promotion? Do you ask for more money? How much? There’s someone else in your office who’s at a similar level as you’d like to be but what is their salary like?

Imagine how straight-forward it would have been if you knew what everyone was earning. Not knowing gives your boss the power and takes it away from you.

On the other hand, imagine seeing someone every day who works just as hard as you, but you know they’re getting more in their pay-packet. Would it make you work harder to achieve their level? Office politics are tricky and often best avoided.

So what do you think? Should there be transparency or do you think your employers are paying what you should be earning?