Competitive pay

Definition

Compensation that's supposedly aligned with market rates for similar positions in similar industries. It's what companies claim when they're actually paying 15% below market.

Example Usage

The job posting promised 'competitive pay,' which meant we'd need to check Glassdoor to see if that was a lie.

Origin

Euphemism dating back decades in HR recruiting language.

Fun Fact

When HR says 'competitive pay,' check Glassdoor; when they say 'generous benefits,' they probably mean the dental plan covers prophylaxis.

Source: Recruiting Language and Euphemisms

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