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The only thing I dislike about this is that the salaries are literally public -- not just known to each other in the company, but your friends and family could

by nilkn 11y ago

The only thing I dislike about this is that the salaries are literally public -- not just known to each other in the company, but your friends and family could also look up your salary. I'm not sure I understand the purpose of this. Is it really necessary to have names in the public listing?

jlukasavige 11y ago
I'm just starting with Buffer as a Product Creator. I gave this a bit of thought at first and it did indeed make me nervous. Now, however, it's completely freeing to have it out there and have one less thing bottled up that I can't talk about. Finances are a funny thing in the US; money is completely taboo to talk about, but why? Does it really matter that your friends/family know how much you make? Maybe it does and that might keep you from working with a company like Buffer, which is just fine. In that case it might not be a culture fit and you should probably pursue working with a company with a little less transparency. The openness and transparency is what most drew me to work at Buffer. They don't compartmentalize and that's a great thing. Transparency extends to all corners of the company. Some places say they stand for something but then you find out there are boundaries. Not the case here. :-) Justin, new Product Creator with Buffer
- Dwolb 11y ago
  I'm undecided on if public transparency of salaries is a net positive or net negative for society and for Buffer. However, I do applaud you as an employee and the organization itself for trying something different. You can tell by the polarization of responses here on HN that you guys are truly on to something (not sure what though!).
- swozey 11y ago
  I don't want anyone but my closest of friends to have any idea as to what I make for a living. How do I benefit from that? Now when we go out to dinner, or to buy drinks, is this acquaintance that I see a few times a month going to pressure or guilt me into paying for things? Are they going to be upset that I spent $20 on a birthday present when I make 2-5x their pay? It shouldn't even be a consideration unless I want it to be. Are they going to talk behind my back about how I only tip $1 on drinks but make XYZ amount of money? When people know you're making money they come out of the woodwork and do things they wouldn't do if they had no idea. I'd rather it not even be a consideration in our relationship as friends/family/whatever.
  - baby 11y ago
    Honestly how many friends/family member/whatever actually made the effort to look at your company website? How many how them looked further that the frontpage?

by nilkn 11y ago

jlukasavige 11y ago

I'm just starting with Buffer as a Product Creator. I gave this a bit of thought at first and it did indeed make me nervous. Now, however, it's completely freeing to have it out there and have one less thing bottled up that I can't talk about. Finances are a funny thing in the US; money is completely taboo to talk about, but why? Does it really matter that your friends/family know how much you make? Maybe it does and that might keep you from working with a company like Buffer, which is just fine. In that case it might not be a culture fit and you should probably pursue working with a company with a little less transparency. The openness and transparency is what most drew me to work at Buffer. They don't compartmentalize and that's a great thing. Transparency extends to all corners of the company. Some places say they stand for something but then you find out there are boundaries. Not the case here. :-) Justin, new Product Creator with Buffer

Dwolb 11y ago
I'm undecided on if public transparency of salaries is a net positive or net negative for society and for Buffer. However, I do applaud you as an employee and the organization itself for trying something different. You can tell by the polarization of responses here on HN that you guys are truly on to something (not sure what though!).
swozey 11y ago
I don't want anyone but my closest of friends to have any idea as to what I make for a living. How do I benefit from that? Now when we go out to dinner, or to buy drinks, is this acquaintance that I see a few times a month going to pressure or guilt me into paying for things? Are they going to be upset that I spent $20 on a birthday present when I make 2-5x their pay? It shouldn't even be a consideration unless I want it to be. Are they going to talk behind my back about how I only tip $1 on drinks but make XYZ amount of money? When people know you're making money they come out of the woodwork and do things they wouldn't do if they had no idea. I'd rather it not even be a consideration in our relationship as friends/family/whatever.
- baby 11y ago
  Honestly how many friends/family member/whatever actually made the effort to look at your company website? How many how them looked further that the frontpage?