rug ranking

English

Etymology

An allusion to the carpets in the offices of prestigious officials.

Noun

rug ranking (uncountable)

1. (Canada, colloquial) The practice of setting a secretary's pay in proportion to the status of the person the secretary works for.
   • 1977, Louise Dulude, The status of women in Federal crown corporations, page 20:

     But it was found during the course of this study that many middle-sized and small corporations had never heard of rug-ranking (while practicing it) or were convinced that it was strictly a Public Service concern.

   • 1999, Barbara Wake Carroll, David Siegel, Service in the Field: The World of Front-line Public Servants, Canada: Institute of Public Administration, page 114:

     It created an impression among staff members that they were not trusted. In assigning individual offices, “rug-ranking” was fairly obvious.