Publishing employee salaries, as Buffer did, can have both positive and negative impacts on a startup. Here are some considerations:

### Pros

1. **Transparency and Trust**
- Builds trust within the organization by fostering a culture of openness.
- Helps ensure fairness in compensation and can reduce perceptions of favoritism or bias.

2. **Employee Satisfaction**
- Employees may feel more valued and respected, leading to higher morale and job satisfaction.
- Promotes a sense of equality and fairness among employees.

3. **Attracting Talent**
- Can attract candidates who value transparency and a fair workplace.
- Demonstrates the company’s commitment to ethical practices, which can be appealing to top talent.

4. **Market Positioning**
- Can differentiate the startup in a competitive market, showing it as a progressive and forward-thinking company.

### Cons

1. **Privacy Concerns**
- Some employees may feel uncomfortable with their salaries being public.
- Can lead to privacy issues and potential backlash from employees who value confidentiality.

2. **Internal Tension**
- May create tension or dissatisfaction if disparities in pay are revealed, even if they are justified.
- Could lead to demands for pay adjustments, which may not be financially feasible for the startup.

3. **Competitive Disadvantages**
- Competitors could use this information to poach employees by offering slightly higher salaries.
- Can reveal strategic information about the company’s financial priorities and constraints.

4. **Administrative Burden**
- Managing and justifying salary transparency can be time-consuming and require additional resources.

### Conclusion

Whether it is good or bad for a startup to publicize employee salaries depends on the company's culture, values, and specific circumstances. For startups that prioritize transparency and have a strong rationale for their compensation structure, publishing salaries can reinforce their brand and attract like-minded talent. However, for others, the potential drawbacks in terms of privacy, internal tension, and competitive risks might outweigh the benefits.

Ultimately, it is a strategic decision that requires careful consideration of the company's goals, culture, and the potential impact on employees and operations.