4 Thoughts on Spotify Paying Remote Employees NYC and SF Salaries
So not only did
This lies in stark contrast to the likes of Facebook and Twitter, both of which said employees who leave the San Francisco Bay Area would see their salaries cut.
If you know the above facts, you’re basically up to speed in the remote work world. It was a busy week after Salesforce also announced permanent remote work options for its staff.
But I want to focus on
I have four thoughts on this.

1 – I like Spotify ’s parameters
This one is less about salary, and more about the structure of their program.
According to Business Insider, the program: lets “employees choose how they want to work at the company — in an office, remotely, or at a coworking space that the company will pay a subscription for.”
But there’s a catch: “Employees have to commit to an option for one year at a time, and have their manager’s approval. But other than that, all employees need is their laptop and internet access.”
I actually like these parameters. What it indicates to me is forethought.
2 – I like how conscious they are of inclusion
Paying everyone the same salaries is an inclusion tactic. It guarantees that people who can’t sustain living in a high cost of living city (for any reason) are not hindered in their earning potential.
Honestly, I hadn’t thought of it this way before. But I like the perspective a lot.
3 – I like that Spotify considers outcomes over geography
I spoke with remote work expert Rhys Black about how paying equalized salaries is really just a talent grab – and
Frankly, this is a win in my books. And for those concerned that this will make small startups even less competitive, I like DHH’s comment on that:
4 – Spotify is not a trailblazer, if I’m being honest
In comparison to FB and Twitter,
But Basecamp has been doing this for years. And even they weren’t really trailblazers when you consider management consulting pioneered pay equalization decades ago. A consultant in Dallas will make the same as a consultant in New York City even though rents are way cheaper. There was some discrepancy internationally, but even then large global firms did some equalization measures based on purchasing power parity (and even then, offering generous top ups).
Regardless though, I applaud
Now if only
Read Next: That Time PwC Forgot Hybrid Remote Work Existed
This article originally appeared on Remotely Inclined and is republished with permission. Header image courtesy Spotify.