Are Employee Salaries Confidential?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The NLRA allows workers to discuss topics, such as wages, that affect them at work. … Under the NLRA, even an employee who signs a non-disclosure agreement still has the legal right to discuss pay with coworkers and others.

Is my salary considered confidential information?


Salaries are almost always confidential

, but that’s just cultural. … But, despite all the confidentiality, it’s all self-imposed. Federal law protects your right (and the right of your employees) to discuss their working conditions–including salary.

Can you disclose an employee’s salary?

You cannot forbid employees – either verbally or in written policy – from discussing salaries or other job conditions among themselves. Discussing salary at

work is protected

regardless of whether employees are talking to each other in person or through social media.

Can employees share salary information?

In fact, employees’

right to discuss their salary is protected by law

. While employers may restrict workers from discussing their salary in front of customers or during work, they cannot prohibit employees from talking about pay on their own time.

Can employers forbid employees from discussing salary?

In fact, employees’ right to discuss their salary

is protected by law

. While employers may restrict workers from discussing their salary in front of customers or during work, they cannot prohibit employees from talking about pay on their own time.

Why salary is confidential?

The biggest reason for maintaining salaries confidential is

to mask the pay differences between those performing the same job

. … Pay differences also arise between employees who are hired from the market compared to those who have grown to a position from within the organization.

Can HR tell other employees your salary?

An

employer may not prohibit an employee

from disclosing his or her own wages, discussing the wages of others, inquiring about another employee’s wages, or aiding or encouraging any other employee to exercise rights under the Equal Pay Act

Can you get fired for sharing your salary?

Can I Be Fired for Discussing My Wages? No.

It is illegal for employers to fire workers for talking

about one’s salary or wages at work. Your employer cannot retaliate against you, threaten to discharge, demote, suspend, or discriminate against you for exercising your right to equal wages.

Is it illegal to share your salary with coworkers?

The Act prohibits employers from forbidding employees from discussing their wages or the wages of other employees. … Pay secrecy policies, whether formal or informal, often reflect an effort by an employer to conceal wage discrimination.

Should I share my salary with coworkers?

You cannot forbid employees – either verbally or in written policy – from discussing salaries or other job conditions among themselves. Discussing salary at work is

protected

regardless of whether employees are talking to each other in person or through social media.

Is it illegal to tell someone how much you make?

Yes, it’s O.K. — and perfectly legal — to talk about it. What many workers don’t realize is that

it is unlawful for private sector employers to prohibit employees from discussing wages and compensation

, and it has been since the National Labor Relations Act was passed in 1935.

Can an employer tell you not to talk to other employees?


There is nothing illegal about

this. In general, an employer has the legal right to establish formal or informal rules that are unfair, obnoxious, harsh, or make no sense. … The two most common laws that employers break when they institute “no talking” policies are discrimination laws and laws related to unions.

Why do jobs not show how much they pay?

In today’s market, companies also don’t want to advertise

their compensation packages because it makes them more vulnerable to their competition

. Competing organizations could use salary information to win over candidates by offering them more money or target high-performing senior staffers within that organization.

What bosses should not say to employees?

  • “You Must do What I Say because I Pay you” …
  • “You Should Work Better” …
  • “It’s Your Problem” …
  • “I Don’t Care What You Think” …
  • “You Should Spend More Time at Work” …
  • “You’re Doing Okay” …
  • 7. ”You’re lucky to have a job”
Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.