Can You Be Fired For Discussing Pay?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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 talk about pay at work?

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.

Can employers prohibit employees from discussing salaries?

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 my boss tell others my salary?

Can employer disclose salary information to other employees? 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.

Is a person’s salary confidential?

Salaries are almost always confidential , but that’s just cultural. Your employees may already be talking. ... 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.

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.

Can someone be paid more for doing the same job?

What laws prohibit pay/compensation discrimination? ... Specifically the EPA provides that employers may not pay unequal wages to men and women who perform jobs that require substantially equal skill, effort and responsibility, and that are performed under similar working conditions within the same establishment.

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”

Is it OK to share your 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.

What to do when you find out coworker is making more than you?

  1. Don’t act out of immediate anger. I know what you’re thinking: Duh. ...
  2. Don’t mention specific names or salaries. ...
  3. Don’t come unprepared with market data. ...
  4. Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. ...
  5. Don’t stay at the company out of fear.

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.

Are people’s salaries public information?

The salary, benefits and other compensation of public officials are a matter of public record . State law limits the amount most city council members can earn.

Is it bad to tell coworkers your salary?

Your right to discuss your salary information with your coworkers is protected by the federal government. According to The New York Times, the National Labor Relations Act states that employers can’t ban the discussion of salary and working conditions among employees. ... Only your coworkers can tell you their salaries.

Can a new employer ask for proof of salary?

Employers in California are now: Prohibited from relying on an applicant’s salary history as a factor in determining whether to offer employment or what salary to offer; Prohibited from seeking salary history information, including compensation and benefits, about an applicant; and.

Do employers have to tell you salary range?

Employers in California cannot ask job applicants about their salary history. If an applicant asks, employers have to provide a salary range for the position . Employers in California are now: ... Prohibited from seeking salary history information, including compensation and benefits, about an applicant; and.

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.