[cookiecaper]

It can definitely foment discontent when, say, a low-mid-level software engineer pulls the same as clerical workers. I wonder if that will have any effect on the company's ability to hire professionals. Maybe they'll expect a commensurate salary bump; if you're paying 1.8x the normal salary for a clerical or support worker, shouldn't you pay 1.8x the normal salary for a professional? What kind of message does that send about how much the company values professionals, and will pros be more comfortable at companies with more conventional pay structures (even though I doubt any would admit that publicly)?

[ukigumo]

That could be one way of doing things (all salaries raise in proportion to the minimum). It would make the company highly attractive for prospective employees and raise the stakes for current staff so would be an interesting "experiment".