Should Job Descriptions Include Pay Data?

A new Glassdoor survey of 750 managers in the U.S. and the U.K. estimated more then 33 percent of HR and hiring managers expect more employees to leave their organization over the next year, while 45 percent named salary as the top reason for employees changing jobs, followed by career advancement opportunities, benefits, and location, reports Human Resource Executive . In addition, 64 percent of respondents felt their own organizations do a satisfactory/very satisfactory job at setting pay and benefits expectations within job postings. However, fewer than 10 percent of online job listings post pay data in the description. Several years ago, Forbes contributor Liz Ryan wrote that employers have a negotiating advantage by withholding salary information, yet they also routinely ask job candidates to detail their own pay history as part of the interview process. Ryan contended companies should include salary range data in every job description so that people who refuse to work for that salary level will avoid wasting their time and the employer's time applying for the job. Meanwhile, Glassdoor CHRO Carmel Galvin says disclosing pay can save employers unwanted turnover. "Recruiters and hiring managers need to manage expectations and use all channels available to them to communicate with potential candidates to ensure pay realities meet expectations," she notes. Employers also should be mindful that although wage is important in getting desired talent, culture is a larger determinant of long-term retention.