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Message
Why is talking about salary a taboo?
Posted on 10/11/14 at 8:06 pm
Posted on 10/11/14 at 8:06 pm
I can see why a company doesn't want its workers discussing the details. It would create leverage. But wouldn't it benefit coworkers knowing what everyone makes? It adds leverage, right? If a new hire comes in and makes x amount without any experience, that give me an idea of what the market would take for me having much more experience than him or her. So why wouldn't I want to know what he makes? And wouldn't he/she like to know what I make to let him know what he/she has to look forward to or how far ahead of the game he is?
But even friends are often "afraid" to discuss what they make. Is that due to ego?
I think the more you know, the better. And the more your coworkers make, the more you are likely to make.
There are sites that can give you an idea of what you can make in your field, but those often don't take location into consideration.
IDK. Just thinking out loud and wondering what the MB's thoughts are.
But even friends are often "afraid" to discuss what they make. Is that due to ego?
I think the more you know, the better. And the more your coworkers make, the more you are likely to make.
There are sites that can give you an idea of what you can make in your field, but those often don't take location into consideration.
IDK. Just thinking out loud and wondering what the MB's thoughts are.
8
Posted on 10/11/14 at 8:12 pm to ell_13
I know lots of people working in the public sector (state, Feds, various parishes, public schools). No secret salaries there.
Posted on 10/11/14 at 8:16 pm to hungryone
True. Public jobs are different. I guess I'm referring to the private sector then.
I've heard of people being fired for disclosing their salary to coworkers.
I've heard of people being fired for disclosing their salary to coworkers.
Posted on 10/11/14 at 8:26 pm to ell_13
matters of money are private. it's just not something that should be talked about. i get extremely uncomfortable when people start talking about money.
Posted on 10/11/14 at 8:33 pm to southernelite
But should you feel that way? Or should I ask why do you feel that way?
Posted on 10/11/14 at 8:58 pm to ell_13
The company I work for has a fluctuating demand
When demand for workers is high they have to pay a premium
The guys that have been there for years often times make less than the guy that just got hired and doesn't know as much
If the new guy brags about salary, the old guy is gonna feel very slighted IMO
When demand for workers is high they have to pay a premium
The guys that have been there for years often times make less than the guy that just got hired and doesn't know as much
If the new guy brags about salary, the old guy is gonna feel very slighted IMO
Posted on 10/11/14 at 9:51 pm to Croacka
I'm not really talking about bragging though. I'm just talking about coworkers or friends having a conversation where salary is brought up. They feel like they have to keep it a secret. I don't see the point.
I'm not saying I want to know what my coworkers make. I don't care. That's the point I'm trying to make. But in the same breadth, I don't care if they (or my friends) know what I make. And this includes when I used to be a teacher for a small private school.
I'm not saying I want to know what my coworkers make. I don't care. That's the point I'm trying to make. But in the same breadth, I don't care if they (or my friends) know what I make. And this includes when I used to be a teacher for a small private school.
Posted on 10/11/14 at 10:12 pm to ell_13
quote:
But even friends are often "afraid" to discuss what they make. Is that due to ego?
I'd say that has a lot to do with it. Especially in areas where keeping up with the Jones' is prevalent. They just don't want people to know how they're doing it, or how much is left over at the end of the month.
Posted on 10/11/14 at 11:05 pm to prostyleoffensetime
I have no issue talking about salary. I find it very odd that people get some tight-lipped about it. Whether you make a little or a lot does not have any influence on the caliber of person you are. Teachers making 45k can be much better than hedge fund analysts making 200k.
Companies never seem to want employees discussing wages.
Companies never seem to want employees discussing wages.
Posted on 10/11/14 at 11:19 pm to ell_13
quote:
I've heard of people being fired for disclosing their salary to coworkers.
Yep. Somebody comes to me with that shite and they are both gone. You happy with what you make? Then shut the frick up. If you're not, tell me why you should make more "cuz he does" isn't an answer.
If someone asks me why they haven't had a raise in a while, I just tell them it's cause I don't give a shite if they leave or not. If their work drops off after that, I expedite the process.
Posted on 10/11/14 at 11:26 pm to lynxcat
Generally speaking those that make more are more comfortable discussing income, obviously. As somebody that has been privy to salary info at many large companies, I can say that it's not normally a good situation knowing what co-workers or friends make. Many reasons for that.
I can say that as a finance guy doing work with engineering companies, I loathe knowing what some engineers make.
should've done engineering 
On a personal level, it's the jones' mentality that makes it tough. I make more than most think due to my modest home spending, and I'm ok with that, but I just don't think it's anybody's business, and I'd rather people assume I don't have money.
I can say that as a finance guy doing work with engineering companies, I loathe knowing what some engineers make.
should've done engineering On a personal level, it's the jones' mentality that makes it tough. I make more than most think due to my modest home spending, and I'm ok with that, but I just don't think it's anybody's business, and I'd rather people assume I don't have money.
Posted on 10/12/14 at 7:32 am to LSUAfro
I'm not saying people should discuss it. I'm saying people shouldn't feel wrong or dirty if they want or choose to discuss it. If you think it's personal, that's fine.
Posted on 10/12/14 at 8:56 am to ell_13
So, you're my friend.
You tell me you make X. I tell you I make 5X. That causes a problem with a lot of friendships.
Envy can be a friend breaker.
You tell me you make X. I tell you I make 5X. That causes a problem with a lot of friendships.
Envy can be a friend breaker.
Posted on 10/12/14 at 9:24 am to ell_13
Two reasons. 1) People are not mature enough to discuss salary without negative feelings creeping in and straining the relationship. 2) Employers will not allow giving up leverage in salary/raise negotiations.
If you can talk about it like a grown up and keep what you know from your employer then go ahead and discuss it. But its usually a bad idea.
If you can talk about it like a grown up and keep what you know from your employer then go ahead and discuss it. But its usually a bad idea.
Posted on 10/12/14 at 10:07 am to VABuckeye
quote:
You tell me you make X. I tell you I make 5X. That causes a problem with a lot of friendships.
Envy can be a friend breaker.
I would be happy for a friend that makes five times what I do, not envious.
I wouldn't choose to have friends that would be envious. I want all of my friends to be wildly successful and I'm sure they hope the same for me.
Posted on 10/12/14 at 10:52 am to Opus
quote:
1) People are not mature enough to discuss salary without negative feelings creeping in and straining the relationship. 2) Employers will not allow giving up leverage in salary/raise negotiations.
Agree and Salaries are also not necessarily tied to specific jobs/task.... There are a lot of times where people are paid on future potential, not the here and now.
Posted on 10/12/14 at 11:21 am to Lsut81
Posted on 10/12/14 at 12:33 pm to SmackoverHawg
quote:
If someone asks me why they haven't had a raise in a while, I just tell them it's cause I don't give a shite if they leave or not. If their work drops off after that, I expedite the process.
I know a boss is not supposed to be a friend, but, I'm wondering how company morale is with you having that mentality.
Posted on 10/12/14 at 12:37 pm to Opus
quote:
Two reasons. 1) People are not mature enough to discuss salary without negative feelings creeping in and straining the relationship. 2) Employers will not allow giving up leverage in salary/raise negotiations.
Nothing good can come from knowing what your co-workers make. It breeds resentment and issues. Maybe that should not be the case, but people are human with emotions and feelings.
Employers also bring new people on board for different reasons, and that can effect salary, etc.
If you want to know if your pay is at market level, go talk to a headhunter and go apply for a couple of jobs with other companies in your area.
Posted on 10/12/14 at 12:50 pm to LSUFanHouston
quote:
Nothing good can come from knowing what your co-workers make. It breeds resentment and issues. Maybe that should not be the case, but people are human with emotions and feelings.
Employers also bring new people on board for different reasons, and that can effect salary, etc.
If you want to know if your pay is at market level, go talk to a headhunter and go apply for a couple of jobs with other companies in your area.
I just refuse to agree this. Yes, there are some negatives of possible resentment but there is also the positive of transparency. More so, a company that shows the comparables research for why it pays what it does for each position makes the situation even better. I believe in transparency.
Applying outside of a company where you are otherwise happy is a pretty crappy solution to a problem with an easy fix.
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