Comp and Coffee

108: Spill the Beans on Pay Transparency Trends with Lulu Seikaly

Mar 3, 2025

Lulu Seikaly, a senior corporate attorney and pay transparency expert at Payscale, joins the discussion to shed light on the evolving landscape of pay transparency. She reveals the latest developments in pay legislation across the U.S. and Europe, debunking common misconceptions for organizations. Lulu emphasizes the significance of internal pay equity checks and offers best practices for fostering trust through transparency. As employees demand greater visibility into compensation, she discusses emerging trends that organizations must navigate for a fair future.

34:41

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Episode guests

Lulu Seikaly

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Quick takeaways

Recent pay transparency legislation across various U.S. states emphasizes the need for incorporating salary ranges in job postings to prevent wage gaps.

Trust and communication regarding salary structures significantly enhance employee retention, fostering a culture of accountability and fairness within organizations.

Deep dives

Rising Trends in Pay Transparency Laws

The landscape of pay transparency laws is rapidly evolving, particularly in the U.S., where multiple states are enacting new legislation. As of early January, states like Illinois and Minnesota began requiring salary ranges in job postings, with New Jersey and Vermont set to follow later in the summer. This flurry of state-level actions likely stems from a perceived lack of progress on federal legislation, prompting states to take initiative in promoting transparency. Employers can expect more states to propose similar laws as interest in pay transparency continues to grow.

Intro

2min

Navigating Pay Transparency Legislation

13min

Navigating Pay Transparency

7min

Unlocking Trust Through Pay Transparency

6min

Trends in Pay Transparency

6min

In this episode of "Comp and Coffee," Ruth Thomas is joined by Lulu Seikaly, our senior corporate attorney and pay transparency expert at Payscale, to unravel the complexities of pay transparency trends and legislation. With new laws continually emerging, the duo explores what this shift means for organizations, employees, and the future of compensation practices. This episode is packed with insights on compliance, the growing importance of trust in pay practices, and practical steps companies can take to effectively navigate these changes.

Key Highlights

Overview of the latest pay transparency legislation in the U.S. and Europe, including specific state and country initiatives.
Discussion on the misconceptions and challenges organizations face regarding pay transparency and how to overcome them.
The importance of internal pay equity checks and getting organizational structures in order before posting salary ranges.
Best practices for building trust through transparency and its impact on employee retention and satisfaction.
Upcoming trends and potential legal challenges in the pay transparency landscape, including increased focus on pay communication and equity audits.

Quotes

"The term pay transparency kind of has this notion that you have to show off your salaries that everyone makes within the company. But... they don't require employers to post everyone's salary for the world to see." – Lulu Seikaly
"Once an employee understands why they're being paid, the way they're paid makes those ideas dissipate." – Lulu Seikaly
"If your employees trust you, then they will be more engaged, they are more likely to stay with you, and they are more likely to be productive." – Ruth Thomas

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