Why is revealing salary/offers so taboo outside of the firm? Forum

[BrokenMouse]

I can see employers wanting to keep them confidential to avoid shitshow, but why do people keep them secret in social setting? I would think it is no big dealand if anything it helps us the employees in general.

[TLSModBot]

Talking about what you make at a party is quintessential tacky. If you're talking about anonymous sharing on sites like glass door etc., it already happens so I'm not sure where you get 'taboo' from.

[sublime]

..

[R. Jeeves]

The taboo probably originates from the fact that people can be insecure about how much they make.

Maybe theres a good case to be made for trying phase out the taboo, but i dont think its origins are a great mystery.

[PeanutsNJam]

The taboo probably originates from the fact that people can be insecure about how much they make.

Maybe theres a good case to be made for trying phase out the taboo, but i dont think its origins are a great mystery.

Or maybe society values modesty. And society doesn't want to make personal worth or self-esteem dependent on how much money you make any more than it already does.

[R. Jeeves]

The taboo probably originates from the fact that people can be insecure about how much they make.

Maybe theres a good case to be made for trying phase out the taboo, but i dont think its origins are a great mystery.

Or maybe society values modesty. And society doesn't want to make personal worth or self-esteem dependent on how much money you make any more than it already does.

Yea this too

[anon sequitur]

I would think it is no big dealand if anything it helps us the employees in general.

The fact that it would help employees in general is part of the reason it's taboo.

[anon sequitur]

accidental anon above

[PeanutsNJam]

How would being able to brag about making 160k at cocktail parties help employees.

[GreenEggs]

I think Americans are just generally insecure and afraid of seeming "less" than others. It's the same with grades, when asked, "what'd you get in calc 2?" Some people are just really uncomfortable sharing it. I always preferred the system in South Africa, sending out a PDF with everyone's name and grades.

[mvp99]

How would being able to brag about making 160k at cocktail parties help employees.

[Anonymous User]

How would being able to brag about making 160k at cocktail parties help employees.

Pay secrecy helps employers maintain an advantage in salary negotiations with employees. This is the reason that the NLRB protects employees' rights to discuss/disclose salaries.

[PeanutsNJam]

How would being able to brag about making 160k at cocktail parties help employees.

Pay secrecy helps employers maintain an advantage in salary negotiations with employees. This is the reason that the NLRB protects employees' rights to discuss/disclose salaries.

Except law firm salaries are publicly disclosed on the Vault website. What does bragging about making 160k at cocktail parties add?

[Anonymous User]

Except law firm salaries are publicly disclosed on the Vault website. What does bragging about making 160k at cocktail parties add?

Eh, you are aware the taboo exists outside of law firms? And a taboo from broader culture can exist even where its purpose is not served?

[jess]

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[BrokenMouse]

Is this real life? Why do you think the only reason people share salary info is for bragging purposes? It goes a long way of helping each other get what you deserve and not get shitdealed in the dark.

I'm wanting to hear from people who choose not to share salaries why they don't reveal them to their colleagues and friends. What's the harm?

[lavarman84]

I think Americans are just generally insecure and afraid of seeming "less" than others. It's the same with grades, when asked, "what'd you get in calc 2?" Some people are just really uncomfortable sharing it. I always preferred the system in South Africa, sending out a PDF with everyone's name and grades.

It's really the opposite. I don't share my grades with people other than my closest friends because I don't want to brag about how I did when someone else might be really hurting after receiving their grades. Not worth rubbing someone else's face in it when I don't see why anyone else needs to know what my grades are. What's the benefit to that?

I can see the benefit of employees sharing salary info but I generally don't for the same reason.

[ballouttacontrol]

How would being able to brag about making 160k at cocktail parties help employees.

Pay secrecy helps employers maintain an advantage in salary negotiations with employees. This is the reason that the NLRB protects employees' rights to discuss/disclose salaries.

Except law firm salaries are publicly disclosed on the Vault website. What does bragging about making 160k at cocktail parties add?

I guess you're never gonna apply for another job in your life. Otherwise GL on those salary negotiations

Google had some hero start a massive spreadsheet with everyone's salaries, and it turned out there were massive disparities seemingly based on nothing probably other than salary negotiation. Google hated it very much

[jess]

.

[Nekrowizard]

.

[BrokenMouse]

I think Americans are just generally insecure and afraid of seeming "less" than others. It's the same with grades, when asked, "what'd you get in calc 2?" Some people are just really uncomfortable sharing it. I always preferred the system in South Africa, sending out a PDF with everyone's name and grades.

It's really the opposite. I don't share my grades with people other than my closest friends because I don't want to brag about how I did when someone else might be really hurting after receiving their grades. Not worth rubbing someone else's face in it when I don't see why anyone else needs to know what my grades are. What's the benefit to that?

I can see the benefit of employees sharing salary info but I generally don't for the same reason.

I agree with what you said and I think that is both tactful and thoughtful. Im talking about in the context of someone asking for it not that you are volunteering that info.

[BrokenMouse]

Everyone at my work shares their pay rate. We thought it was helpful figuring out that we were all underpaid but some of us more severely. Now those of us who make shitpay can either find a new job or negotiate better. No harm to the rest of us though.

[lavarman84]

I think Americans are just generally insecure and afraid of seeming "less" than others. It's the same with grades, when asked, "what'd you get in calc 2?" Some people are just really uncomfortable sharing it. I always preferred the system in South Africa, sending out a PDF with everyone's name and grades.

It's really the opposite. I don't share my grades with people other than my closest friends because I don't want to brag about how I did when someone else might be really hurting after receiving their grades. Not worth rubbing someone else's face in it when I don't see why anyone else needs to know what my grades are. What's the benefit to that?

I can see the benefit of employees sharing salary info but I generally don't for the same reason.

I agree with what you said and I think that is both tactful and thoughtful. Im talking about in the context of someone asking for it not that you are volunteering that info.

If someone asked for it, I think I'd volunteer it. Unless I somehow knew that I was getting paid significantly more than my coworkers.

[TLSModBot]

Is this real life? Why do you think the only reason people share salary info is for bragging purposes? It goes a long way of helping each other get what you deserve and not get shitdealed in the dark.

I'm wanting to hear from people who choose not to share salaries why they don't reveal them to their colleagues and friends. What's the harm?

If somebody asked directly, I've got no reason to hide the info. But it's gauche as fuck to ask or tell w/o being asked. And there's generally no value on learning what one other person makes; again, glassdoor etc. is the place to share and look for that data.

[Avian]

Is this real life? Why do you think the only reason people share salary info is for bragging purposes? It goes a long way of helping each other get what you deserve and not get shitdealed in the dark.

I'm wanting to hear from people who choose not to share salaries why they don't reveal them to their colleagues and friends. What's the harm?

I think a lot of people would reveal their salary if someone wanted to know to help them in negotiating. If it's just random curiosity, they might be less inclined to share because it could make things awkward. I personally would probably not volunteer the amount, but I would always share if asked.