Why is asking what a person’s salary is so taboo in the workplace?

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There’s like this weird culture around it where some may even consider it rude or too personal like it’s equivalent to asking someone their social security number or something
I’ve heard a rumor it’s because companies/bosses don’t want people to talk about their pay between employees because they may find discrepancies compared to their coworkers, but I’m not 100% sure that’s actually why since even their employees consider it taboo.

In: Economics

30 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

I’ll start with saying that I don’t feel jealousy towards anyone who comes in at a higher rate than me. Good for them they negotiated more!

I do feel a tinge of guilt that my pay might make someone feel badly about theirs, rather than want to know how to better negotiate, or portray value. I won’t initiate pay discussions but when asked I will answer candidly.

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