[dragonwriter]

> Full pay transparency works well in two settings. One is where pay levels are based simply on rank and tenure, and perhaps location—not on performance. Think government agencies.

But, that's not how government agencies work; in the federal general schedule system initial pay steps within a grade can vary based on special needs of the hiring agency or special qualification of the candidate, and advancement in steps within the grade is based not only on longevity but acceptable performance.

State and local civil service systems I've seen seem to be generally similar.

[holograham]

have you ever worked in a government setting? I would hardly call them the epitome of a highly functioning workforce. Laziness and waste is rampant.

[ryandrake]

Sorry, but laziness and waste is rampant in the corporate world as well.

[dragonwriter]

> have you ever worked in a government setting?

Only for a little over 15 years.

> I would hardly call them the epitome of a highly functioning workforce

A mixed bag, IME, as are private orgs. But, even insofar as your claim is true, it would only be relevant as counterevidence (weak, perhaps, because of potential compounding factors) to the article’s claim that government agencies are an environment in which full pay transparency is not demoralizing and demotivating.