She claimed that those people who work in the Central Business District (CBD) are more well-paid compared to those working in suburban offices.
"My boyfriend went for an interview and the company told him that his pay will be higher because the office is located in the CBD area," she said.
The man replied, "No company will pay a staff a higher salary because of the location of the office."
"Why not?" the lay retorted.
"Salary is based on your qualification, job fit, skills and experience, ability and performance, track record, what value you can add to the job, etc. It is never based on where your office is. Did your boyfriend ask why basing in CBD will be paid higher salary? What is the rationale behind it? Will his pay be reduced if he is transferred to another location?" the man replied.
"It's true. Most of my friends who work in the CBD area have higher salaries. My friend works as an administrator and her salary is higher. Even one of my colleague agreed," she claimed.
To which the man replied, "You have to look at what are the responsibilities, job scope and skills required to perform that particular job. You cannot just compare based on job titles. Some companies' secretaries are more well paid than a manager because of the kind of things they are responsible."
The lady insisted, "Things in CBD are more expensive. So the company pays its staff higher salary to help defray the costs. My friend got meal voucher and they have staff canteen as well. Those who work at CBD have to dress better."
"No company will ever give you a higher pay just because the office is located in an address where things are more expensive. Will a bank pay its teller who works in the CBD higher salary and another performing the same job in a suburban mall a lower salary, when both are performing the same functions? And if a company pays a higher salary for their staff working in CBD like what you say, what happens when it decides to move out of CBD? Are they going to tell the staff that part of the salary will be cut because now they are moving to another address where things are supposedly cheaper." the man said.
He further said, "There are companies which will take into consideration the location of their offices and pay a higher salary. But usually it's due reasons like the staff is required to relocate to another city where the costs of living is higher. And if a staff is sent to a less-developed office in another country, they may also get higher salary known as hardship allowance."
"No doubt that some companies have staff canteen selling food at cheaper prices. But that is restricted to very large corporations where they recognize that many of their staff do not earn high salaries, which in a way helps to make eating in CBD more affordable. But they will not pay their staff more. It's two different things. Once you pay a staff more, it will be very difficult for you to withdraw later. Whereas by providing cheaper option, the staff are free to choice how they want to spend. Some big companies like Google and Bloomberg have fully stuffed pantry and provide full meals throughout the day. Their staff are very well paid. And they provide this benefit in order to attract and keep their staff happy."
"And if your job require you to dress well, it's part of the job whether your salary is high or low. Some rank and file staff get allowances because their jobs require them to wear uniform. But don't expect a company to pay you a higher salary just so that you can dress better. And how better is better? You take a walk in CBD and almost every other girl is carrying a Chanel handbag."
The lady still thinks companies in CBD pay higher salaries.
All based on what she heard.