A week later and much to everybody's relief the world
has not ended despite a small number of people sharing
(some of) their salary information.

But: the spreadsheet has shown there is significant
interest, yet few people are willing to share (even
some of) their information.  At any given time, the
sheet was accessed simultaneously by a few dozen to
well over a hundred people, yet we have only 27 rows
of information.

I draw the obvious conclusion that everybody really
wants to know what everybody else makes, but is not
willing to share any information about themselves.

I do think that the interest in and discussion around
this topic shows that many people do believe that it
would be to their advantage if they knew more about
how much others make.

At the same time, it appears that the perception of
sharing (even some and even (semi-)anonymously) salary
information might lead to a disadvantage to the
individual.  This ends us in a Nash Equilibrium.


We are looking at a 15% reduction in employees.

That is, 15% of us are going to be looking for a new
job soon.  Perhaps consider that sharing some of your
information may well help them negotiate better in
their next job -- knowing the average for their
current position will make it easier for them to
assess if their next opportunity is in line with the
market, for example.

Likewise, if you are unforuntately part of the
lay-offs, perhaps revisit whether whatever you
perceived as possible negative effects of your sharing
information still holds.

I do think that the act of sharing your information --
especially job level and salary or job level and
cohort salary average -- will _directly_ help your
future ex-co-workers.

-Jan

P.S.: As I've mentioned before, I'll happily help you
maintain as much of your anonymity as you'd be
comfortable with.  Here are my previous notes:
http://ilist.yahoo.com/wws/arc/devel-random/2016-01/msg00599.html