4 ms·

How can seniority level be secret?

• jefftk 7y ago
  "seniority level" an in "what level have you been promoted to". At Google you don't have to disclose your level, but most people do and most of my coworkers know I'm L5. At Facebook my understanding is they've tried to build a culture where people don't know each other's levels, to focus more on "what can you do" instead of "what does management think you can do".
  • wolco 7y ago
    Then why have different levels at all and just pay more or less? Why hide someone's position/level.. why even have levels? Is this a shield for management.. you shouldn't know Jim is more valuable.. easier to pull the wool over employee eyes?
    • slowmovintarget 7y ago
      You have levels to guide HR in making compensation decisions relative to the rest of the market. For example, Google might set their target at 105% of the top range of the market in order to retain the best employees. 105% of a fresh graduate's salary is very different from the same rate for a top-of-field industry recognized veteran. Even in those cases, that's a guide so exceptions are made as merited. And no, I don't work at Google :)
  • paulie_a 7y ago
    I greatly doubt that culture actually exists. There is either a formal known hierarchy or an informal one with a lot of backstabbing and power plays. In the latter you may not know who is doing it. Plus as you said people will disclose it anyways. People know their level and others even if it is a "secret". People know others salaries too. So the entire concept is rendered moot