Compensation Discussion Among Employees...taboo?

It's a good way to get fired. Taboo subject.

Personally I don't like to discuss it...can't lead to anything positive IMO. Either someone's pissed at you for making more, or you're left wondering how the idiot in the cube next makes more than you.

Now if it's commission related maybe it's not a big deal. At my company our sales comp plan is the same for everyone so it's no secret. But I have no idea what non-sales people make...nor do I want to.

Salary and stock awards/sales of executives in publicly traded companies are easily found. Private companies different? Non executives?

Base compensation discussions generally do not result in any positive situations. Therefore, most people avoid it.

Now in our firm, we have a marketing bonus program, that results in each employee, once a year, getting a check based on their personal performance in the marketing program. All of the checks are given out at a staff meeting, and the gross bonus (before any sort of deductions/withholding) is shared with everyone when the check is handed out. This is seen as sort of a motivational tool, since the determination of the amount is via a formula that everyone knows.

I'd say it differs from company to company.

At my firm everyone is paid about the same as others of the same seniority so it gets discussed all the time and no one really gets upset about it because you know you'll be making the same amount as another person when you get to that level.

My experience is that it is talked about like any other normal subject and nobody comes off as offended or wanting more. If anything, most are motivated to elevate themselves and pursue new opportunities.

If a casual compensation discussion really causes that much discomfort for your group, I would think they are over sensitive in general.

Immediate dismissal to discuss pay at my office. It is one thing they tell everyone when they are hired.

I've only worked with one person who I was close enough to talk about stuff like that with, and we were friends before she started working with me. We didn't care and weren't resentful about anything, but we did work in different roles.

It's easy to find out how much people make in my situation though. It was actually posted on a share point site under the human resources once.

The law is clear, if you are a non-supervisor employee, it is a violation of the NLRA to discipline or fire an employee who discusses his wages.

For a supervisor and above employee, fire 'em.

BUT, under Obama's new Executive Order just a few weeks back, ALL employees of government contractors can discuss wages without repercussion -- supervisors included.

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Is there a universal rule that salary and compensation are not to be discussed by employees

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in the US, this is definitely the case.

Outside the US, its more acceptable (varies by country). I know in India and china its common, same thing with parts of south america. For certain professions in europe, its common knowledge how much you make due to unions.

Honestly we would benefit collectively as workers if we did discuss wages.