in the tech job market generally, the value of the work to the company puts an upper bar on a salary, but competition with other employers for the same worker puts a lower bar on salary (obviously along with other factors like the company's reputation, mission, benefits). In practice all salaries are set by the latter rule, which means they depend on the job market, which varies by location. That salaries should not depend on location is a fantasy based on some weird idea of people getting "paid what they deserve"—a fallacious association between your salary and your worth as a person, which people would do well to get over.
The price of Coke is influenced by logistics but ultimately it's determined by the market (supply and demand), exactly the same as your work, that's capitalism.
What's the market in this context is of course the interesting question.
Why would you pay two people doing the same job vastly different salaries because one lives in A and the other lives in B? That's the better question to be answered. I am not bottle of coke, and neither are my colleagues, we're humans, so your analogy makes zero sense.
Well, it is great way to make talent in HoCL areas get priced out of the market, should the market reach a point where there's enough talent in LoCL willing to work for lower rates. Theoretically, anyway.
> Why shouldn't payment for work be tied to local price ranges and cost of living?
Why should it be? You pay someone enough to get them to work for you instead of someone else. That's the sole reason you pay someone anything at all. And there's no reason to pay them any more than that. How do local prices and cost of living fit into that equation?
Presumably GitLab will stop using local prices and cost of living when continuing to use them gets in the way of hiring developers they'd like to hire. As of now, it seems that it's working for them.
If we enter a world where most SWEs work remotely and few other companies are paying location-based, we might see GitLab change their tune. For now, they're competing first and foremost against local jobs.
The cost of most commodities varies by location. This includes Coke. It is called price discrimination.
The whole reason DVDs had regions was to price the same DVD differently based on location. As long as companies can, they will price and pay different amounts for the same thing based on local factors.
But price discrimination by region doesn't fit great with boasting about "leadership". Say what you want about the MPAA (and RIAA), but who would buy them crowing about anything like "leading the free global market for media"? Leading the world in exploiting the free market, sure.
So, you were saying that's the kind of "leadership" Gitlab is boasting about, or...?
100% absolutely agreed. You're paying me for the work I can do for you. If someone else on the team with the same role and JD as me, gets paid more while you expect the _same level of work_ from us both, that's bullshit. Admit then you the company are paying less because you want the cheaper labor and don't complain when I put in less effort thsn the other person you're paying more. Paid for effort and knowledge, not the goddamn city I live in. If it's the same job, it should pay the same wage. Period.
mmaia|3 years ago
comprev|3 years ago
motoxpro|3 years ago
vernon99|3 years ago
sixo|3 years ago
vruiz|3 years ago
What's the market in this context is of course the interesting question.
bastardoperator|3 years ago
unknown|3 years ago
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BlargMcLarg|3 years ago
chrisseaton|3 years ago
Why should it be? You pay someone enough to get them to work for you instead of someone else. That's the sole reason you pay someone anything at all. And there's no reason to pay them any more than that. How do local prices and cost of living fit into that equation?
lolinder|3 years ago
If we enter a world where most SWEs work remotely and few other companies are paying location-based, we might see GitLab change their tune. For now, they're competing first and foremost against local jobs.
lasereyes136|3 years ago
The whole reason DVDs had regions was to price the same DVD differently based on location. As long as companies can, they will price and pay different amounts for the same thing based on local factors.
CRConrad|3 years ago
So, you were saying that's the kind of "leadership" Gitlab is boasting about, or...?
bamboozled|3 years ago
It's cheaper for them to hire people while things around foreign works are going up in price. The pay should be adjusted accordingly.
joshmanders|3 years ago
PenguinCoder|3 years ago
alchemist1e9|3 years ago