Financial Transparency

Background

Since 2020, I have published my salary and other financial information on this page. It is something I talk about openly when asked (and sometimes unprompted!) and a personal belief I hold quite strongly.

Recently a few people have told me irl that they have found this website and appreciated the salary information, so I'll go into a little more detail here on my personal rationale for it and how it has evolved.

In this way it could be considered a warrant canary on my own moral dedication to personal financial transparency. If this page has disappeared/not updated in several years you can probably assume I have had a crisis of morality and/or been offered an obscene amount of money to change job.

Origin

As explained in the main article, I was originally inspired by the excellent investigative journalist and author George Monbiot to publish my income and financial interests. Monbiot makes the case that, as a journalist, he is in a public position of influence and that there is therefore a public interest in knowing who pays him. I strongly agree with this and, though not in a public position myself (I doubt anyone who doesn't know me already has ever read this site) it is good to set an example of transparency and encourage others to do so.

evolution

• addition of housing
• privelege of family money
• things i probably won't add

Limitations

Counter arguments

• how could this be used against me/doesn't this affect you?
• is this boastful? taboo?
• comparative advantage/salary negotiation

Morality of this stance

• a more genearal morailty of openness
• limits of this
• This Should Be Normal If you have read this far, I would encourage you to follow suit! If you don't feel comfortable posting on the internet for posterity, at least be open to discussing your salary and financial situation with colleagues, friends and acquaintances. We all benefit from increased openness around this old taboo