Is it OK to discuss salary with coworkers?

Under the National Labor Relations Act

National Labor Relations Act

Congress enacted the National Labor Relations Act ("NLRA") in 1935 to protect the rights of employees and employers, to encourage collective bargaining, and to curtail certain private sector labor and management practices, which can harm the general welfare of workers, businesses and the U.S. economy.

https://www.nlrb.gov › about-nlrb › rights-we-protect › the-law

The Law | National Labor Relations Board

(NLRA or the Act), employees have the right to communicate with other employees at their workplace about their wages.

Why is it inappropriate to discuss salary with co workers?

“Employers hate it when employees discuss salaries because it exposes discrimination and other unfair pay practices,” she says. “If your employer has a written policy or contract prohibiting salary discussions, you can report them to the National Labor Relations Board.”

Should I discuss salary with coworkers?

Talking about pay rates with a trusted coworker can set you up for success in future salary negotiations. According to Fast Company, the more comfortable you are talking about money in a casual conversation, the better you'll perform in more formal settings, such as negotiating your compensation package.

Is it rude to ask coworker salary?

“Do not ask coworkers about specific salary figures,” Porter said. “Instead, with close colleagues, you can comfortably ask about salary range if there is some concern about your own compensation package.”

Can discussing salary get you fired?

No, you cannot be fired for discussing wages at work. The majority of employed and working Americans are protected from discipline exercised simply due to protected classes, such as age, gender, race, and so forth.

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Is my salary confidential information?

There is no implied term that salary details are confidential.

Is it illegal to talk about wages?

Discussing salary is a controversial topic. Finances is usually something we are quite secret about so discussing them in the workplace just doesn't seem right. However, it is not illegal. Often, open policies around employees' salary allows for a transparent and equal workplace.

Why is discussing salary taboo?

It's an outdated norm and unfair violation of our freedom of speech that penalizes women and lowers all workers' leverage when negotiating for a fairer share of company resources. You won't ask for a raise that you deserve if you don't know and can't find out that you're being underpaid.

How do you handle an employee discussing salary?

When should you discuss salary?

As a general rule of thumb, it's best to wait until the hiring manager brings up the topic. Best case scenario, a company lists the position's salary range on the job posting, and you can use that to best determine if the job and starting salary fit your needs before you even apply.

Why you shouldn't discuss salary with friends?

“It's very rare that anything good comes from discussing compensation,” she says. “Meaning you're more than likely going to find out that your co-worker makes more or less than you, which will often result in a negative feeling.”

Is salary transparency a good thing explain your position?

Salary transparency not only helps to improve understanding in how pay levels are set, but it improves trust with employees. By being open and honest about how pay levels are set, everyone can be confident that their salary aligns with their skills, experience and results.

How would you respond if one team member wanted to know their coworkers salary?

Ask for discretion.

“If a co-worker asks you what your salary is, and they've already shared their salary with you, [you may want to] reciprocate by telling them your exact salary, and ask them to keep your conversation confidential,” Teach says.

Should you discuss salary with coworkers Reddit?

You cannot face consequences for discussing pay with coworkers- it can't even be threatened. Discussing pay with coworkers is the only thing that prevents discrimination in pay. Managers will often discourage it- They may even say it is against the rules but it never is.

Can an employer speak to other employees about other coworkers?

However, employers should also maintain strict confidentiality concerning employee status, pay, performance and medical related information to the extent possible. With few exceptions, employers shouldn't engage in discussions about other employees or disclosures concerning employees with their coworkers.

Is it OK to share your salary with friends?

Share that you're the most highly compensated, and others might start taking advantage. But if there's one benefit to talking salary with friends, it's this: doing so might give you a better sense of whether you're being paid fairly.

Why do people not tell their salaries?

In the US, it's generally considered inappropriate / rude / tacky / a bad idea to discuss your income. This is just one of those things that's drilled into you, like chewing with your mouth closed. Even if someone doesn't judge you for your salary, they'll judge you because you're talking about it.

Why should employees discuss salaries?

There are potential benefits to openly discussing salary in the workplace, as these conversations can let you know if you're being grossly underpaid, and, in turn, help you negotiate a higher wage.

What should you not say to HR?

What is a pay secrecy clause?

Pay secrecy clauses are terms included in your work contract that prohibit you from disclosing what you earn to other workers. If you disclose how much you are paid to a fellow employee, you could be disciplined for breaking your contract.

What is pay transparency?

Pay transparency is the approach employers take on communicating about compensation. The negotiation process can take on the feel of a poker game rather than an informed discussion on the value of a given role.

Is it gross misconduct to discussing salary?

The short answer is no, they can't. Employees have the legal right to discuss pay if they choose to, and it's illegal for employers to ban those discussions.

What do you do when a coworker asks your salary?

You can easily let that coworker know that you do not feel comfortable discussing your salary. Everyone here is really understanding and friendly, I am sure they would not feel offended. Just tell that you feel uncomfortable and that it's company policy that we shouldn't be discussing.

Should salaries be a secret?

Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe

When companies have different employees on the same job and one of them is paid differently, many unfairness issues surface. "It can happen in any 'open shop' that differentiates pay for any reason [such as seniority or performance]," says Dauphinais.

What are the pros and cons of salary transparency?