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Other than salaries, where do you see a lack of pricing transparency in the US that can be found elsewhere? About salaries you can get a good idea by talking t

Other than salaries, where do you see a lack of pricing transparency in the US that can be found elsewhere? About salaries you can get a good idea by talking to people and with sites like glassdoor. The ballpark range of salaries isn't such a secret. And, to elaborate on my previous comment, if a business were to advertise salaries, it'd be easy for a competitor to outbid them for employees they really want. So that system just wouldn't ever become the norm.

lotsofpulp 5y ago
> Other than salaries, where do you see a lack of pricing transparency in the US that can be found elsewhere? I’m not sure what the relevance of this question is, but I presume there might be countries where real estate sale prices are not public record. I think this is the case even in the US state of Texas. > About salaries you can get a good idea by talking to people and with sites like glassdoor. The ballpark range of salaries isn't such a secret. The internet is helping a little, but forums and sites like levels.FYI are much better than Glassdoor I think, which sells to employers so I would not trust it. > And, to elaborate on my previous comment, if a business were to advertise salaries, it'd be easy for a competitor to outbid them for employees they really want. So that system just wouldn't ever become the norm. If every business had to do it, then everyone is similarly advantaged/disadvantaged. The internet is already helping. For example, I would welcome a Swedish style system.
- unityByFreedom 5y ago
  That question was in regards to your comment about price transparency being taboo in the US. I don't see that. What I see is, if you choose to do it, that is your right. However, forcing every employer to disclose salaries of every employee would be a significant change. There would need to be a good portion of the voting public backing that, in addition to consideration as to whether it's even enforceable. I don't see that happening any time soon.
blaser-waffle 5y ago
Glassdoor isn't a magical truth ball, it depends on 1) random users putting in info, and 2) putting in correct info. For issue 1) you have a selection bias, and for issue 2) you have no way of knowing if that salary is for a hotshot with a great resume, 6+ years old and out of date, or anything else has changed within the company or field. And in a lot of cases the ranges are crazy large, almost uselessly so. With a number in the actual job ad you know exactly where you're at: "SWE 2 @ 120k + 20% bonus + misc."
- unityByFreedom 5y ago
  Glassdoor/others are good for ballpark ranges which is good enough for me. If you want to know ahead of time, there are some employers who opt into that. IMO the value brought by a human being is complex and they deserve a chance to argue their worth, so there is no sense in advertising a price point that may vary. We are all primarily competing against ourselves in a sense, and allowing wiggle room on compensation lets employers and employees make better connections. If you don't want that, go to a union, work for a government, or do something with an hourly wage.

lotsofpulp 5y ago

> Other than salaries, where do you see a lack of pricing transparency in the US that can be found elsewhere? I’m not sure what the relevance of this question is, but I presume there might be countries where real estate sale prices are not public record. I think this is the case even in the US state of Texas. > About salaries you can get a good idea by talking to people and with sites like glassdoor. The ballpark range of salaries isn't such a secret. The internet is helping a little, but forums and sites like levels.FYI are much better than Glassdoor I think, which sells to employers so I would not trust it. > And, to elaborate on my previous comment, if a business were to advertise salaries, it'd be easy for a competitor to outbid them for employees they really want. So that system just wouldn't ever become the norm. If every business had to do it, then everyone is similarly advantaged/disadvantaged. The internet is already helping. For example, I would welcome a Swedish style system.

unityByFreedom 5y ago
That question was in regards to your comment about price transparency being taboo in the US. I don't see that. What I see is, if you choose to do it, that is your right. However, forcing every employer to disclose salaries of every employee would be a significant change. There would need to be a good portion of the voting public backing that, in addition to consideration as to whether it's even enforceable. I don't see that happening any time soon.

blaser-waffle 5y ago

Glassdoor isn't a magical truth ball, it depends on 1) random users putting in info, and 2) putting in correct info. For issue 1) you have a selection bias, and for issue 2) you have no way of knowing if that salary is for a hotshot with a great resume, 6+ years old and out of date, or anything else has changed within the company or field. And in a lot of cases the ranges are crazy large, almost uselessly so. With a number in the actual job ad you know exactly where you're at: "SWE 2 @ 120k + 20% bonus + misc."

unityByFreedom 5y ago
Glassdoor/others are good for ballpark ranges which is good enough for me. If you want to know ahead of time, there are some employers who opt into that. IMO the value brought by a human being is complex and they deserve a chance to argue their worth, so there is no sense in advertising a price point that may vary. We are all primarily competing against ourselves in a sense, and allowing wiggle room on compensation lets employers and employees make better connections. If you don't want that, go to a union, work for a government, or do something with an hourly wage.