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by 3pt14159 1582 days ago
My boss doesn't know how much I'm paid. I like it that way. He communicates how he feels I'm doing to the people that need to know and it's working out ok.
2 comments

I find that interesting, and also concerning.. but I suppose it depends on the office culture.

I tried to ignore my peers and direct reports salaries when I first moved into management... I lost an employee after 2 years when another place offered him a 80% raise.

At that point, I realized I couldn't count on a 3rd party to properly evaluate an employee's worth, and I started to take an active role in ensuring people are paid as close to market as we could afford (though, as a non-profit, we struggle to compete for technical talent)

> I lost an employee after 2 years when another place offered him a 80% raise.

First, I'd say it's quite normal in non-profits.

Second, I believe that in a structure when you don't know the salary of your reports, there is always someone they can discuss it with if they feel they deserve more - and that person would definitely consult your opinion then.

Well, I make a lot. I'm sure my boss is aware of that. I don't know a single person that is paid this much in Toronto and doesn't have to manage others. Not even close. So maybe that's why he doesn't need to know.
This sounds like an unusual arrangement. Who actually determines your pay?
It is often called "matrix structure", in which you have two bosses: HR boss that knows your salary, and day-to-day project boss that does not.