Though this would mean, if I'm trying to hire a developer and their salary requirement is 1000 more than the set band, I either have to employ them at a level too high and pay them more than I budgeted, or not hire them at all even though I could afford the additional 1000 and they were a good fit. I really dislike inflexibility like that. Do some employees get a bit on an unfair deal if they don't negotiate? Yes, they do, but who really cares, as long as they are happy? I much prefer being in the dark about others pay and being able to negotiate terms of employment than shoehorning everyone into the same mold.