Money is a subject that can be rather awkward when coworkers start inquiring about one another’s salaries. That’s exactly what happened to a new employee who was with a company for only six months when the question of compensation was mentioned in the break room. Given the description of the response from the coworker being asked, you would have thought they were asking about their deepest darkest secret.
Regardless of whether the new employee was asking for guidance in discussing a future raise or regret over accepting a lower salary, asking another coworker about their pay can put them on the defensive. Money is a personal issue and can depend upon your relationships. Discussing it with a relatively new colleague often creates a comparison game which can lead to feelings of mistrust.
Discussing money amongst coworkers is not necessarily a good decision for a number of reasons, one of which can lead to an atmosphere of jealousy and resentment. When the recession was in full swing, some employers undoubtedly offered salaries at a lower rate due to the abundance of candidates in the field and depending on when you were hired your compensation could be a reflection of the times. In addition, some career fields are more competitive and employers are willing to negotiate.
Case in point, a new employee may not have the negotiating skills that you have acquired and settled for a lesser salary than you. In any case, employers use compensation models and ranges to gauge salaries because it’s in their best interest. Most employers want to pay a fair and competitive salary for what the market rate brings, however all pay will not be the same.
The problem with discussing compensation with your fellow workers is that it’s risky in setting up a negative atmosphere of comparison that can lead to suspicion and hard feelings. Keep in mind that compensation is based on a number of factors; experience, training, education, credentials and skills.
Talking about pay with your fellow colleagues is not a good idea and is much safer to leave it up to your employer. If a coworker is really interested in pay, there are ways to find out the information rather than putting you on the spot such as researching and talking to people in the field instead of asking you directly.
When coworkers start talking about one another’s pay it points to the lack of communication on the part of the employer. Employers should strive to make their compensation plans apparent and welcome questions concerning pay. Even though some colleagues may see salary discussion as no problem, it’s usually frowned upon from management and while you might value transparency, in the workplace some things are better left unsaid.
What are your thoughts about discussing salary with colleagues?
