The dangers of high salaries within EA organisations

Abstract

The foci of this piece are the potential adverse effects of high salaries within the Effective Altruism (EA) community and strategies to mitigate these risks. The argument outlines concerns that an increase in salaries in EA organisations could attract individuals whose primary motivation is financial, rather than altruistic, leading to a potential disconnect from key EA principles. This misalignment of values across the organisation can influence critical decision-making processes and impact the overall work culture. A series of suggested mitigations are explored, including adjusting salary benchmarks to 80% of the market rate and offering non-financial benefits. The role of robust hiring processes and the promotion of intrinsic motivation within the workplace are also examined. The article also delves into the concept of “rowing vs steering” - improving efficiency vs maintaining direction. However, the piece acknowledges the lack of a clear distinction between what is considered a “high” salary and a “moderate” one, and nuances resulting from personal circumstances linked to financial needs. – AI-generated abstract.