> Equity in pay potential is progressive (i.e. not discriminating against race, etc), but I do not see why everyone should have the same pay. I pay people (and

> Equity in pay potential is progressive (i.e. not discriminating against race, etc), but I do not see why everyone should have the same pay. I pay people (and businesses) differently based on what I think my second best option would cost. Is that not what everyone does? People aren't generally advocating for "the same" pay (precise lockstep), but broadly transparency and auditability. To use Google as an example, roles have bands. Two people in the same role aren't paid the precise same amount, but you'll generally know that they'll be +-, say, 20%. And someone at L+1 will earn more than someone at L. In other words, there is a fairly straightforward way to calculate $$$ given performance review data. So there's rules and things work within the rules. This allows individuals to see that their performance is getting compensated the same as someone else's performance, via the same rules. If and when there are exceptions, the employer should be able to justify those exceptions. Why is John, at L, getting paid more than James at L+1? Because James was just promoted, and John has been a top performer at L for the last 5 years.