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Jilly_in_VA

(10,885 posts)
Tue Sep 21, 2021, 10:15 AM Sep 2021

North Carolina workers are often told not to talk about their wages. That's not legal.

Under federal law, keeping employees from discussing pay with coworkers is an unfair labor practice. Yet across North Carolina, workers, advocates, and labor experts say such “pay gag” infractions are widespread, with awareness of the law at a minimum.

Whether it’s a formal company policy or off-the-cuff words from a manager, a strict prohibition or a gentler ask, any communication that might reasonably stifle workers from sharing their salaries is, in the vast majority of situations, a violation of the National Labor Relations Act.

“It is not isolated to specific industries or even white-collar, blue-collar,” said Jeff Hirsch of the UNC School of Law. “One of the reasons it’s so prevalent despite the fact that it’s clearly illegal is that most people have no clue.”

Despite the law, many companies continue to maintain pay secrecy policies. A 2021 nationwide study by the Washington-based Institute for Women’s Policy Research found close to 50% of full-time employees reported having been dissuaded or prohibited from discussing pay at work.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2021/09/21/north-carolina-workers-discuss-wages-despite-workplace-rule/5796705001/
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I've been told this in the past, and I didn't even live in NC. How about you?

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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North Carolina workers are often told not to talk about their wages. That's not legal. (Original Post) Jilly_in_VA Sep 2021 OP
At my previous job we were told in no uncertain terms kirkuchiyo Sep 2021 #1
I worked in big Pharma in Philly, then in RTP in NC NewHendoLib Sep 2021 #2
When I worked at a hospital XanaDUer2 Sep 2021 #3
I think it's rude to ask about salary. jimfields33 Sep 2021 #4
except you are wrong Casady1 Sep 2021 #5
I'm glad you told me to. jimfields33 Sep 2021 #6
Federal law does not address whether it's rude or not FBaggins Sep 2021 #8
Agree. Either asking or offering leads to problems, IMO. Always. yonder Sep 2021 #7

kirkuchiyo

(402 posts)
1. At my previous job we were told in no uncertain terms
Tue Sep 21, 2021, 10:16 AM
Sep 2021

that we'd be fired if we discussed wages. But the owners were assholes so there's that. I didn't know about this however.

NewHendoLib

(60,497 posts)
2. I worked in big Pharma in Philly, then in RTP in NC
Tue Sep 21, 2021, 10:18 AM
Sep 2021

All of the various companies that represented (due to mergers, I worked in 6 different companies, but in reality, one big company) stressed that discussing what we each earned was a major infraction. That was between 1984 and 2009.

jimfields33

(18,837 posts)
4. I think it's rude to ask about salary.
Tue Sep 21, 2021, 10:29 AM
Sep 2021

It’s nobody’s business. And it’s a losing answer. If you say, 30K, the person asking thinks what a fool. You should have asked for 35 like I did. Or you answer 40 and the person thinks it’s unfair you get that much. No winners!

jimfields33

(18,837 posts)
6. I'm glad you told me to.
Tue Sep 21, 2021, 10:46 AM
Sep 2021

I did a Google search and you can discuss salary but only on your own time and not company time. That is big time fair.

FBaggins

(27,702 posts)
8. Federal law does not address whether it's rude or not
Tue Sep 21, 2021, 10:57 AM
Sep 2021

Such conversations are essential when a group of workers is trying to negotiate with an employer. But jimfields33 is correct that the topic is considered rude by many people and is more likely to create hurt feelings and a less comfortable work environment.

Outside of those collective bargaining scenarios, it's almost always a bad idea. Legal or not.

yonder

(10,002 posts)
7. Agree. Either asking or offering leads to problems, IMO. Always.
Tue Sep 21, 2021, 10:56 AM
Sep 2021

Doesn't matter if a company frowns on it or not, shit can get stirred up pretty quick if people know what everyone else is making.

Button them lips.

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