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This still puzzles me since most other remote companies of similar size and shapes offer much better compensation than Gitlab.

by HHalvi 7y ago

sunaurus 7y ago
Which companies do you mean specifically?
jjeaff 7y ago
I can't speak for gitlab, but there is a strategy to not competing with higher salaries, even if you can afford it in some cases. You aren't necessarily losing the top talent because not all the top talent cares only about the money. And by not offering the highest salaries, you are naturally selecting for employees that care more about the culture and work/life balance than having the highest possible salaries. So if you do hiring right, you are more likely to get employees that stick around rather than jump ship for the first offer of a 10% pay raise.
- sonnyblarney 7y ago
  "you are naturally selecting for employees that care more about the culture and work/life balance than having the highest possible salaries" This is not quite true. You're 'selecting' for all of the things that come along with offering lower salaries, which usually means losing the best talent. All things being equal, it's rational for even a 'good staffer' to go to Google (or whatever). And of course, the company saves money by paying people less. I'm doubtful that there's any correlation between 'lower pay and commitment' once you normalize for talent. If this is true, they could equally pay people more and get the same or better results. Corporations speak in their self interest, and other people's interests to the extent it serves their own. If a company is paying less, it's probably because they can get away with it for one reason or another.
  - techntoke 7y ago
    Not true at all. Money isn't everything. Culture and value mean a huge amount to me as an employee. I'd take 60k less a year or more based on culture and value.
    - autotune 7y ago
      The last time I worked at a company where “money isn’t everything” with a focus on culture instead it was because they ended up getting bought out by a private firm where most eventually got laid off. Money talks, bullshit walks first and foremost while culture is what ensures those with competitive skill set and high salaries don’t jump ship for 10 percent more, but you still have to pay your employees well. You can’t pay your bills or afford your hobbies outside work with culture.

This still puzzles me since most other remote companies of similar size and shapes offer much better compensation than Gitlab.

by HHalvi 7y ago

This still puzzles me since most other remote companies of similar size and shapes offer much better compensation than Gitlab.

sunaurus 7y ago

Which companies do you mean specifically?

jjeaff 7y ago

I can't speak for gitlab, but there is a strategy to not competing with higher salaries, even if you can afford it in some cases. You aren't necessarily losing the top talent because not all the top talent cares only about the money. And by not offering the highest salaries, you are naturally selecting for employees that care more about the culture and work/life balance than having the highest possible salaries. So if you do hiring right, you are more likely to get employees that stick around rather than jump ship for the first offer of a 10% pay raise.

sonnyblarney 7y ago
"you are naturally selecting for employees that care more about the culture and work/life balance than having the highest possible salaries" This is not quite true. You're 'selecting' for all of the things that come along with offering lower salaries, which usually means losing the best talent. All things being equal, it's rational for even a 'good staffer' to go to Google (or whatever). And of course, the company saves money by paying people less. I'm doubtful that there's any correlation between 'lower pay and commitment' once you normalize for talent. If this is true, they could equally pay people more and get the same or better results. Corporations speak in their self interest, and other people's interests to the extent it serves their own. If a company is paying less, it's probably because they can get away with it for one reason or another.
- techntoke 7y ago
  Not true at all. Money isn't everything. Culture and value mean a huge amount to me as an employee. I'd take 60k less a year or more based on culture and value.
  - autotune 7y ago
    The last time I worked at a company where “money isn’t everything” with a focus on culture instead it was because they ended up getting bought out by a private firm where most eventually got laid off. Money talks, bullshit walks first and foremost while culture is what ensures those with competitive skill set and high salaries don’t jump ship for 10 percent more, but you still have to pay your employees well. You can’t pay your bills or afford your hobbies outside work with culture.