LONDON: Pimlico Plumbers' workforce were challenged to reveal how much they earn and to help establish a fairer system of pay for a Channel 4 programme to be aired on 11 July at 10pm.
In 'Show Me Your Money', managing director Charlie Mullins lays out the challenge at a staff meeting, generating an immediate emotional response from his team.
Staff then set off on a period of negotiations with each other alongside a number of job swaps to understand what their colleagues' jobs involve and assess if they are worth more or less than what they are currently paid.
The entire workforce has to vote on whether to implement the proposed redistribution of salaries.
The programme will reveal the result of the experiment and whether the process has created a better and more productive working environment at Pimlico Plumbers.
"Trying to create a fairer pay scheme where employees reveal their salary to each other was obviously always going to be a risky strategy and I can't say I wasn't a bit worried and concerned about doing this. It certainly caused me a few sleepless nights," said Mr Mullins.
"I won't pretend that during the process there weren't a few shocks, a few rows, a few tears, a touch of bitterness and even a spot of guilt once the contents of their pay packets were out in the open. But, there were also a lot of happy people and a fair bit of positivity."
He added that he was sure the programme will generate debate among business owners and employees. "Talking about pay is one of the last taboos in our society and it took our a lot of guts from my guys to take part. Once they did, they took it very seriously and demonstrated the pride they have in the jobs they do."
