It seems that there is still a controversy between posting the salary on the advertised job description and leaving it off entirely. Since it will always remain a company's preference, here are a few pros and cons to consider.
Pros to consider:
If there is no wage listed, that has always been a significant deterrence and carries the stigma that an employer is looking to under-pay their employees. Obviously that is not always the case, but even if it is not in your situation, in the candidate’s mind, that’s a safe assumption.
Job transparency is hugely important to most. It was so taboo at one point to discuss wages and benefits amongst each other, however now it is widely popular and even encouraged.
It removes the opportunity to be biased and encourages fairness. We all know that it is illegal to pay someone different for the same job based on race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, and more. If your salary range is listed publicly, it subconsciously keeps you from being accused of compensation bias.
It will save you time and money in your recruiting process. When candidates know what pay to expect before applying, it eliminates the “shock factor” when you discuss pay during their interview.
Cons to consider:
What will your existing employees think that make less than what you are advertising for? You always risk some disgruntled current employees who make less based on availability or experience becoming bitter and eventually leaving.
It can be harder to attract candidates with more qualifications. One of the first things that a candidate looks for is wage. If someone very qualified is looking for more than what you offer, you miss out on the opportunity to talk to that person before they decide not to apply based solely on the salary listed.
Displaying wages will always be a topic of discussion and I think that it honestly has a lot of variables. What is the competition like in your area? What does the economy look like? How big is your applicant pool? Is this a high-level management position or an entry-level position where little negotiation is expected? All things to be considered when beginning to write out your job descriptions.
Fortunately, Eden Resources keeps up with the trends and what works best for our clients and their job descriptions. Need help recruiting or have HR questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out and receive our expert help!
Victoria Garlough, Client Support Representative
Eden Resources, LLC