Hannah Williams, pay transparency advocate and CEO of Salary Transparent Street, discusses the significance of pay transparency in promoting fair treatment in the workplace, shares her journey to advocating for salary transparency, and explores the differences in how different generations view pay transparency. She also emphasizes the importance of effective communication and training for managers in addressing pay disparities.
Pay transparency is important for ensuring fair treatment of historically marginalized groups.
Younger generations are more receptive to pay transparency, while prior corporate ideologies have influenced older generations' reluctance.
Deep dives
The Importance of Pay Transparency
Pay transparency is gaining importance as workers advocate for open discussions about salaries, particularly to ensure fair treatment for women and people of color. Hannah Williams, CEO of Salary Transparent Street, highlights her journey into the pay transparency movement. Williams discovered she was underpaid compared to others in her field and realized the need to negotiate fair salaries. She emphasizes the importance of market research for understanding fair pay and the impact of pay transparency on closing wage gaps.
Generational Differences and Pay Transparency
Different generations have varying perspectives on pay transparency. Younger generations, like Gen Z and young millennials, are more receptive to discussing salary information openly. Williams explains that prior corporate ideologies labeling pay discussions as inappropriate or unprofessional have influenced older generations' reluctance to engage in pay transparency. In today's society, access to data empowers individuals to seek fair treatment and work for companies that align with their values, which includes pay transparency.
Steps Towards Pay Transparency
Organizations are taking steps to address pay transparency concerns. Companies such as Indeed are voluntarily posting salary ranges for jobs, even when companies themselves do not provide that information. Legislation like the proposed New York City law to require salary ranges in job postings is seen as a positive development. Williams advocates for expanding pay transparency both internally within companies and externally in job applications. She suggests increased communication, training for managers, and valuing employees' desires for equitable pay.
Many workers are pushing their employers to be more open about pay to help ensure that historically marginalized groups such as women and people of color are treated fairly. In this episode of All Things Work, host Tony Lee is joined by pay transparency advocate and CEO of Salary Transparent Street Hannah Williams to discuss pay transparency and practical steps employers can take to achieve it.
Follow All Things Work wherever you listen to podcasts; rate and review on Apple Podcasts.