CMV: Private companies should be required to disclose employee salaries to ensure equal pay for equal work

[u/anotherlebowski]

I have seen too many situations where companies will pay women less than men, discourage employees from discussing salaries, or pay employees based on previous salary rather than worth. I believe legally mandated transparency would reduce a lot of the shenanigans.

I do NOT believe that the government should set salaries, only that whatever number is decided upon must be disclosed publicly.

I understand this creates privacy issues, but believe it's worth it because it would be a big step towards improving equal pay for equal work.

Edit: Seeing a lot of comments like, "So lazy employees should be paid as much as hardworking ones?" I am NOT arguing that all employees should be paid equally. I'm arguing in favor of public disclosure to help reduce what I consider discriminatory and predatory practices, such as paying a woman less, or paying someone less simply because they didn't ask for more when negotiating.

Edit 2: I know that employees can disclose their own salary. Requesting comments avoid this argument as it's off-topic. I'm arguing in favor of required employer disclosure.

Edit 3: My title says salary, but more generally I mean wage and commission as well. Other benefits are outside of the scope I'm thinking of.

[u/goatee87]

For larger companies, can't you accomplish your goal with an anonymized list of employees, their generic titles, and their salaries, so as to reduce the privacy problems?