How do we show the salary? A Q&A with Matt Eyre of Co-op

As a founding partner of the We Show the Salary campaign, Co-op shows salary info on every job ad, and is encouraging other employers to do the same. We spoke to Matt Eyre, Employer Branding & Colleague Value Proposition Lead at Co-op, to find out more about why they’re committed to always showing the salary.

Why is being transparent about salaries on job ads important to Co-op?

On the one hand, we want to do right by people who take the time to apply for our jobs by giving them all the information they need to make an informed decision about whether to apply. Salary is obviously a key part of that! But it’s also beneficial to us as an organisation because we know we get more applications, from a more diverse range of qualified candidates when we publish salary details.

What approach do you take to showing salary info, and why does this approach work well for you?

We publish salary information (either an annual salary range or an hourly rate depending on the role) at the top of all our job advertisements. Everyone who applies for a Co-op job will see our job ads, but we know many candidates don’t scroll all the way to the bottom, so giving them the key information early is important.

We know we get more applications, from a more diverse range of qualified candidates when we publish salary details.

How does including salary information on job ads help advance diversity, equity and inclusion across the sectors Co-op operates in?

Transparency empowers candidates, meaning groups who’ve historically been underpaid are less likely to undervalue themselves. It also helps us recruit inclusively by attracting applicants from a wider range of backgrounds. And when well-known brands set standards, others in their sector often follow suit.

Has showing salaries on job ads had an impact on the organisational culture at Co-op?

Salary transparency is something we’ve practiced for a long time at Co-op. It’s very much aligned to our co-operative culture and practically speaking it’s an enabler for internal career mobility.

Candidates – who invest a lot of time and energy in applying for jobs – can be sure they won’t encounter any pay-related curve balls late on in the process.

And how about the recruitment process – what impact does it have on your recruitment team and on people who apply for a role at Co-op?

It makes things quicker, easier and fairer for all concerned. Our recruiters can be confident candidates are comfortable with the pay on offer – they experience fewer dropouts from the process. Candidates – who invest a lot of time and energy in applying for jobs – can be sure they won’t encounter any pay-related curve balls late on in the process.

What advice would you give to employers who aren’t yet showing salary info on their job ads?

I’d say be brave and take the plunge! It’s the right thing to do in a job market that’s really challenging for job seekers. But you’ll also reap all kinds of benefits for your business and your brand.