Is It OK to Ask People Their Pay / Wage? and Will They Tell The Truth?

chengjianer on 16/10/2015 - 21:22
Last edited 17/10/2015 - 11:32 by 1 other user

So here goes the question as title. What would you say if someone asks you about it?

If you ask me, i can tell them the very exact amount i get, even down to cents. Because even though i tell them my money still doesn't change, not 1 cent. It's not like i am tell them the PIN for my bank card, which they need to have the card to get my money but i think you know what i mean.

Also i want to know if it's a cultural thing (EDIT: or a common sense in workplace in the whole world, prohibited question) as maybe you can tell i am not an Australian but Asian. What do most Aussies think about that? Can it be a topic in a normal / daily conversation?

The reason sometimes i want to ask people that question is to know if it's really worthy it to be in a certain position, for example, i earn $1/hour, and my supervisor / manager earns $1.05/hour. Then i know if i want to take up those roles considering their extra duties and responsibilities. Or maybe i want to change a career and get to know the real money i will probably get by asking people that are working in that field at that time.

So you thoughts?

EDIT: I should also add this, which i wrote to reply one comment. I am not going to ask people like "Hey, how much do you get paid per hour/day/week/month/year??" But in a casual, indirect way

Poll Options

  • 42
    Absolutely OK + I am happy to tell the truth
  • 23
    Umm, it's fine + I will tell the truth but feeling it's a bit personal
  • 2
    Not very OK + I will lie on the amount (More than actual)
  • 12
    Not Very OK + I will lie on the amount (Less than actual)
  • 135
    Absolutely NOT OK + I won't say the exact amount / avoid the question
Education & Work

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2015 - 21:38
    +61

    for example, i earn $1/hour, and my supervisor / manager earns $1.05/hour.

    Well, very nice of you to use real life examples such as the 7-11 wage scales.

  • Kozhutki on 16/10/2015 - 21:46
    +7

    I would only ever tell someone who I'm close with; I'm not going to tell that information to someone I barely know.

    • chengjianer on 16/10/2015 - 22:31

      Alright, fair enough.

      • edgar28 on 20/10/2015 - 11:52

        the employment contract clearly stated not allow to discuss for some company (if not all), you are taking a risk to get booted

  • mskeggs on 16/10/2015 - 21:48
    +7

    I am uncomfortable discussing incomes with people who earn a radically different level. Particularly if they earn substantially less than me.
    I typically am truthful, however.

  • scrimshaw on 16/10/2015 - 21:52
    +8

    Depends on the workplace and the culture. In my workplace we all know roughly how each person is paid — it's all award wages, all the facts are there on the Internet (you can just google it) and there are also bonuses and incentives for meeting KPI's and such. But we don't really talk about it.

    In some workplaces it is expressly forbidden to talk to your co-workers about how much you're getting paid, because it leads to some bad decisions and ultimately envy or jealousy (e.g she gets paid more than me, probably because of her being a young attractive female, so I'm going to work not-so-hard and pass off my duties to everyone else) so it ultimately leads to some form of internal conflict or sabotage. Also, finding out that you're on the lower end of the payscale can be particularly demoralizing, and in turn cause job dissatisfaction:

    . One 2012 study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley and Princeton University examined more than 6,400 University of California employees once they became aware of a database listing staffers' salaries. Employees who were paid below the median were unhappy once they learned their colleagues' pay and were more likely to look for other jobs.

    • chengjianer on 16/10/2015 - 22:50
      -1

      Ok, that makes sense. So it's not good to discuss pay with your co-worker, especially on a similar level.

      Currently i work in a workplace similar to yours which we basically know how much each other (same level) get paid.

      What about on a higher level position, should i ask or can i ask my supervisor / manager how much they get paid? Obviously not straight up and say "Hey, how much do you get paid per week/month/year?" not only it sounds strange buy may offend people judging from most of the comments in this thread, but in a casual / indirect way or when the other person mentions about $$$ wages etc..

      • Ughhh on 17/10/2015 - 00:37
        +7

        should i ask or can i ask my supervisor / manager how much they get paid?

        You cereal???? Why don't you ask your boss and let us know how it goes

        • chengjianer on 17/10/2015 - 01:48
          +1

          Haha, that's why i am here reading all you guys' comments before i actually "do" it!!!

          Alright, i am serious to find out if it's that very very very bad to ask someone that kind of question or i can do it in a "casually" way?!

        • Dollarsandsense on 19/10/2015 - 04:20
          +4

          @chengjianer:

          I would rephrase the question, "what is the earning potential if I follow this career path in 1/2/5 years?"

          Or relate it to a goal.

          "If I train up in X area is there more earning potential" or

          "Do you have any suggestions for me to increase my earning potential?"

          These questions all show that you want to work to get somewhere. Also your manager can give you àn answer based on your strengths. You may have much higher earning potential than him/her or much less depending on your skills and commitment etc.

          I would be pi$$d off if my employees asked me how much I get paid. For the right employee I just lay the cards on the table and give them direction by saying if they can master X area they will be much more valuable to me and I'll pay them more at that time. That amount ranges depending on how good they are and how much I want to keep them.

          Team work is just as valuable as individual performance.

        • chengjianer on 22/10/2015 - 23:59

          @Dollarsandsense:
          Very good advice! Thank you!

      • scupper on 17/10/2015 - 00:50
        -1

        I would have to say that it is especially appropriate if you are of the same level. First, you're both in the same situation. The likelihood of a discrepancy is pretty low. Second, if either or both of you tend to stay back a lot to do extra work, it helps to discuss if it's being appreciated. If there is a large discrepancy between you that cannot be explained by seniority or productivity, then management must have a good explanation. If not, then the one getting less should have a good leverage on getting their pay to match the other. If not, then there's some favouritism (or discrimination) happening here. Job dissatisfaction is to be expected if there is some unfairness happening and totally justified as the dissatisfaction was caused by the company itself.

        Sometimes, the newer employee gets to negotiate a better deal than the loyal employee that has stayed with the company for years. But if the company is prepared to pay a certain amount for a new employee, then an equivalent existing employee should be able to get the same, otherwise the company just isn't paying the existing employee the "going rate". Looking elsewhere is a good option for the existing employee to check his own going rate in other companies, and also leverage if the current company is reluctant to match his pay to the going rate.

    • rodinthink on 19/10/2015 - 03:34

      Ignorance surely is blissful

  • eatwell365 on 16/10/2015 - 22:06
    +9

    There are other way to find out how much your job should be paid. many HR consulting firms have yearly salary studies and publish employments on different roles, industries, experiences and sizes of companies, eg. here. Seems like a trend for corporate to pay within the median of the benchmark.

    Staff are not allowed to discuss salaries as rule was laid by many corporates.

    It also depends on who and why the person may want to know - family, no problem. Would give ball park figures in general. However, if you quote your own salary to others, too high - the other party may be jealous and disbelieve. If too little, the other may look you down. Either way you are not a winner, so why do so.

    • rodinthink on 19/10/2015 - 03:36

      " If too little, the other may look you down"
      That's why FC 1999 movie is classic and strongly relevant in any ages/century.
      It satirize these sense of superiority of wages & frustration that most professional nowadays have

      Until they realize the Desperation for sleep after long hours of miserable moment (if your workplace environment is that abysmal)
      FUn Fact: Sweden decrease their Full time hours to be 30 hours/ week while we OZ just keep jug more hours into employee's throat.

  • retiredfeline on 16/10/2015 - 22:10
    +2

    I would regard such a question from a non close relative as rude and nosey. It will unleash negative emotions whatever the answer is. So I won't go there.

  • Ss-ss on 16/10/2015 - 22:13
    +2

    Yeah I add another $50k per year if asked.

  • Scorpiogirl on 16/10/2015 - 22:17
    +4

    No idea how knowing someone's income is going to contribute to your life in any way. Unless it is to compare yourself and make someone who earns less feel like they are less of a human being. Personally i couldn't care less but no one i know would ask that. What does it matter?

    • chengjianer on 16/10/2015 - 23:50
      +1

      Well, to me it's not really "contribute" to my life but is it really that bad just curious to know about other workplace wages???

      I guess it's down to what type of person you are??

      Optimistic will probably think: oh, i need to work harder or get more qualifications or change a career etc like a bit of motivation or can simply be like i am very happy with my current job, but good on you!

      On the other hand pessimistic: Just jealous envious…

  • altomic on 16/10/2015 - 23:00
    +5

    Hey chengjianer, how much do you earn?

    • chengjianer on 16/10/2015 - 23:33
      +1

      Casual, $25.79. :)

      • scrimshaw on 17/10/2015 - 00:23
        +1

        What! That's more than I earn. Qutting my job now.

        • chengjianer on 17/10/2015 - 01:51

          Haha, you are funny!!

      • eatwell365 on 17/10/2015 - 07:32

        Good on you and now I am jealous. : )
        2nd part of your question - are you telling the truth?

        • chengjianer on 17/10/2015 - 23:13
          +1

          Don't forget something very important which i put it at the beginning, "CASUAL", i believe you know what it means.
          One simple "YES"

      • gimli on 18/10/2015 - 18:19
        -3

        You get laid at $25.79 pretty good

      • Peace Maker on 18/10/2015 - 21:05
        +1

        Saw on reddit a good LPT to calculate annual wage based on hourly rate is to double it and add 3 zeros. This is a good approximation based on a 40 hour week.

        • baz96 on 18/10/2015 - 22:26
          +2

          Wow that's surprisingly pretty accurate haha, thanks for sharing!

        • Dollarsandsense on 19/10/2015 - 04:33
          +1

          @baz96:

          yeah a lot of people don't do this simple equation.. I cant remember if I was told that or just realised the link years ago.

          Wage X40 hrs, X50 wèeks is the same as wage X 2000.

        • baz96 on 26/10/2015 - 21:45

          Saves a lot of time calculating it that way, haha! Although I've also realised that it is more accurate when basing it on a 38 hour week rather than a 40 hour week. For example, with the above method, a 30 hourly wage equates to a $60,000 salary. Although, if you calculate 20x40x52 it's $62,400 compared to 20x38x52 which is $59,280. It's not like there's a big difference, but I thought I'd just point it out, especially since FWA regards 38 hours the average hours worked for a full-time employee.

    • rodinthink on 19/10/2015 - 03:53
      -1

      Casual 21.69 but cityshitty wokNoddle hours and only called like once or twice a week.
      And that's a peak hour and you work like a slave , many people freakout and throw the flying saucer like a Frisbee.
      80% of the co worker is a mean (profanity) only few good one last as the other good people think it's not worth their time slaving in shitty workplace with shitty hours and shitty wages & power-show off employer (part time - $3 from casual)

      Seriously I don't get it why people really obssesed / protective / self-conscious with how much they earn per hour (Perhaps not that much with OZbargain loyal daily member)
      As long as I have internet, Get a Gr8 price for item that I like from OZbargain top page,my tummy filled & can sleep well every night with a bit jog in the morning breathing fresh air and have a very loud laugh reading OZB + top votes hillarious comment or hillarious youtube video like these or these life is wonderful enough.

      Peaceful and serenity is priority for me. Life too short for being miserable 5 days a week - 38 hours slaving your way to the top for material thing that only satisfy you temporarily

      • Dollarsandsense on 19/10/2015 - 04:40

        Enjoy it while it lasts and if you are lucky that feeling will last forever. many want to earn more for different reasons, materialism being one of them.

        At the other side of the spectrum see "sunshine for a spotless mind" I. E. The drive to create a better environment for your kids.

        The income gap is continually increasing. I read an article the other day showing that 1% of the world population holds 90% of its wealth. The top 1% is worth about $760k Or more.

        If you are content with the fat cats getting fatter then don't worry about your wage :-)

  • zrach on 16/10/2015 - 23:04
    +2

    Absolutely not ok. There are other ways to find this out.

  • blakeclayton12 on 17/10/2015 - 04:30
    +4

    people will always exaggerate the truth…
    for e.g.
    "chef" in a very well known restaurant, updated in the industry every three months. Handles customer interactions well, opportunity to further career…
    reality… Maccas Employee

    This applies to pay as well

    • eatwell365 on 17/10/2015 - 07:38
      +3

      Director of Waste Management - Garbo

      On a serious note, I salute them. They work hard and early. Personal sacrifice to work in an area others considered unpleasant and lower. Do not underestimate their income potential, garbo I know owns and lives in property in the east.

    • Doggiie on 18/10/2015 - 18:18
      +1

      Pioneer of Employment Search - Job Seeker

  • iridiumstem on 17/10/2015 - 06:48

    People usually lie about their income. In researches and surveys, researchers usually ask it vaguely like around how much do you earn and they give out a range like $0~100 etc etc and have prefer not to say.

  • welfoj on 17/10/2015 - 08:22
    +1

    Rather than asking your boss what she earns, say you are thinking about upskilling and perhaps moving into a role like his in the future. Then ask what you would earn in a role like that.
    Your boss may be on a different pay level to what someone new in their position would earn, therefore what your boss earns is irrelevant and to ask would come off as nosey. Either way it should be a private conversation and kept proffesional.
    Good luck

  • Google Chrome on 17/10/2015 - 09:45

    Everytime we get assigned to our new groups, we are given a file with each of our members details on it (like a resume but also has feedback from previous groups, pay scale, experience etc). I wouldn't care if someone knew what I earned anyway and hardly anyone talks about at work because we pretty much know what everyone earns. However, we do sometimes get issues where a person tries to get a raise to match a similar person's higher pay.

  • 2bitbludger on 17/10/2015 - 10:00
    -1

    But why does the OP have no shame in the first place?
    If you are poor then it's not hard to lie
    but why should other people be poor
    just to make them feel better about themselves!?

    Maybe the OP has no manners, but its none of your biz.

  • SlickMick on 17/10/2015 - 11:06
    +2

    Within a workplace? It's a terrible idea unless everyone is on a fixed, documented pay scale (government).
    A colleague got out of me what I learned many years ago, and it turned out to be more than him. (I had more experience than him, and varied experience so had more to contribute. But he could only see that he'd been there longer, so should be paid more.) He immediately went to boss and demanded a pay rise. I wasn't popular.
    So no way I'll ever discuss salary within a workplace again.

  • bradsmrbetty on 17/10/2015 - 11:17
    +3

    I believe it really depends on the context of who and why you are asking. For example asking someone what they earn, if you are studying to become x is in my opinion is within context and reasonable. Another example is I use to live on the border of NSW and VIC. In one hospital for x job you would be paid x, across the border, the same job would pay you $8000 more.
    Asking someone how they earn in this context i believe is again reasonable.

  • rgr on 17/10/2015 - 11:59
    +3

    why are people so hush hush about what they are paid? it's just money. jesus christ, so many sensitive people in this thread.

    • Oddmog on 17/10/2015 - 12:32

      People just get titchy about these things and as a few have said on here different pay rates cause drama.

      Personally I'm pretty open about these things but dramas are abound when it comes down to how much a person is earning and how much they think they should be earning.

    • SlickMick on 18/10/2015 - 20:53
      +1

      you should get a job in HR… just for a reality check.. actually, you shouldn't

      • rgr on 18/10/2015 - 21:07

        yeah i should, i'd make all salaries visible on a white board so that people get a good idea of where they are in the ladder. i'd also make sure that employees are getting paid fair market rates instead of being cheated by their employers.

        • SlickMick on 18/10/2015 - 21:22

          I do agree in theory. If we had the transparency, and my boss would explain that I'm paid more because I have more to offer, and here's what the complainer could do to be more valuable.
          But I don't see us getting there.

  • paul11 on 17/10/2015 - 12:43
    +1

    Recently, this has been a hot discussion topic in the US too ….. It more revolves around "increasing transparency around wages". President Obama recently signed an order that "prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who discuss their compensation." Check out these … Very interesting reads….

    http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/08/news/economy/obama-equal-emp…

    and

    http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/07/news/economy/obama-equal-pay…

    Wish there enact such laws here in Ozland too. What do you guys think ?

    • eatwell365 on 17/10/2015 - 17:43
      -1

      OMG…please don't bring any US policy to Australia? No offence but look at the trillion deflcit and wealth inequality, now talks about equal pay.
      If anyone wants $4 an hour wage for waitor, this is the way to make it. Transparency on salary - ie everyone gets pay the same on the job, you can do it or leave it. It kills off competition so never will there be a need for pay rise.

  • rgr on 17/10/2015 - 16:37
    +2

    errr it's a good idea because it prevents greedy employers from keeping more than they deserve and/or play favourites with particular employees over the annual pay increase. this country, like all western countries, is extremely good at hidden corruption which permeates through from top to bottom.

  • kryptoz on 17/10/2015 - 23:05

    If you're in an industry that operates on Award wage rates, there is bound to be little difference, only depending on your title/skills/qualification/etc.
    If you work in an industry that operates on negotiated salary, you will have a figure from the first day you work there that is agreed between employee/agency/employer/HR and that amount will increase yearly by a few percent.
    Some people are highly adept at negotiating 'gift of the gab' and can talk their bosses into a higher figure than average for their skills/experience/productivity, or their contract agency might do that for them, depending on the situation — this scenario is all too common in small-to-medium business and leads to huge variance between income for people who would otherwise be on the same level, knowing how much your peers earn is a great leveler for transparency and boosts morale, and it eliminates exploitation by employers and senior staff exchanging pay rises for sexual indiscretions. However it is not unusual for these companies to have a non-disclosure agreement as part of the contract, which is key to the secrecy and suspicion for many people.
    Many larger, corporate firms have transparency codes, so all staff are made aware of the salary of every other employee — this is a more open, honest way of operating, albeit it does not allow for other packaged benefits, such as company shares/cars/phones/laptops and Fringe Benefits tax savings. Also the hourly rate for a contractor is higher, but excludes the leave entitlements which severely distorts any comparison.
    Asking what people earn in business is going to give a varied response depending on the company, and may colour people's attitude toward you — some people find it more personal than say, asking about their sex life.

    In a more social context, people will probably be more comfortable with the question, because there is no commercial rivalry aspect to the question. However, some people may be uneasy/suspicious, on the premise that you might be asking or may in the future ask them for a loan.

  • Ethereal Winter on 18/10/2015 - 16:45

    I ask people, whether they tell me is up to them. Though I might be a strange one as I also ask people how old they are and then kick myself for asking, as I forget you're not supposed to do that. I don't believe I make judgements from the answers, I'm just interested.

  • gimli on 18/10/2015 - 18:19

    I think its OK to ask in a general sense if you are interested in knowing how much people get paid in a field you may be working in. I think it is rude to enquire about persons financial status.

    If they simnply get paid an award salary that inforamation is usually easily accessible as scrimshaw mentioned. However with hourly wages you would want to know how much overtime etc one works to get a realistic idea of pay from that job.

    The other area is private work/self employed and really you have to ask to find out how much money can be made in private.

    As for me I get paid

  • mousie on 18/10/2015 - 18:22

    Recruitment consultants ask me my salary this all the time.
    Also my current employer asked how much I was earning before they offered me a role.

    They specifically told me not to discuss my salary with anyone else in the business including my direct boss.

    If you are on an EBA there is no harm in disclosing it. If you are not, then you have to think about what you may be gaining by sharing it around.

  • Scrooge McDuck on 18/10/2015 - 18:54
    +1

    If you ask me, i can tell them the very exact amount i get, even down to cents. Because even though i tell them my money still doesn't change, not 1 cent.

    Which of your colleagues have you ever fantasised about? Telling people still won't change the fact of the matter, but does that make it acceptable to you?

    Sometimes I wonder if people even value privacy any more. :/

  • darkmattersunB6c0MV on 18/10/2015 - 19:01

    It is important to know expectations. Have reasonable expectations, but do not undersell yourself.
    I know one former female college who was happy to get AUD 550 per day, but based on her skills and experience we offered her AUD 640 per day.
    Told her not to undersell herself.

    When recruitment consultants call me, usually after the discussion on my experience and fit for a role, we discuss what is the salary expectations and what does the job pay- no point in pursuing if at the end neither of us is happy- I if they pay low, and they if they pay too high.
    And, as for the salary of your managers, a quick search of the roles on offer will give you a fair idea of the salary in the market. Also, there are recruitment agencies that pass you the salary survey results if you prepare to share your salary with them.

    Sometimes, disclosing the salary can be detrimental for the morale of the team- esp. if the salary in similar position is way different- depending on the output and performance, or when you join the company ( companies have been known to pay a premium if you are the right candidate.) I know a case where for the same position on person was being paid 800 per day, and another 1200 per day.

    If sometimes, a charitable organisation asks ( through my contacts or through recruitment agents), I can take a cut- and I actually worked pro-bono for a small piece of work, where my former CIO ( and now GM in another charity) said that he did not have funds in the current fiscal year.

  • SlickMick on 18/10/2015 - 20:56

    I tried to encourage some junior employees to seek out experience in a particular system because it's in demand and would look good on their resume. Even that didn't go down well with some because it insinuated that I was earning more than them.
    I find it better to be very careful that nothing I saw could in any way indicate that someone might earn more or less than another.

    • rgr on 18/10/2015 - 21:09

      good on you, at least you're helping them in some way. i really detest the idea of young people getting taken advantage of especially when they aren't provided guidance on how to navigate their careers in the beginning.

  • Kevan2 on 18/10/2015 - 21:31

    There are a few words that needs to be considered -

    shadow share, performance bonus, non financial awards, stock benefits, perquisites, perks,
    salary exchange,paid and non paid vacations [conferences].

    Jane may earn $300,000 cash but have some or all or more of the above which may make real salary 2.1m. Plus future income when shadow shares or staff shares or options are sold.

    The divide between us, the upper E, and the incentivised is getting wider. This is not the problem [see the achievements of the current prime minister] the real problem is that there can be those who win with a die Realpolitik to all but them.

  • alwayscheaper on 18/10/2015 - 23:39

    I will go along the lines of career path or coaching topics, for example u can discuss future career path, where do u think I can be in the next 5 years? What path is good according to your experience?

    I think most senior people like to talk about that and mentor junior, then after a few conversation ask what range of salary am I looking for at that level? I think asking a range or advice is better as it makes it less personal. But u get a real answer anyway because he will probably know his own path and from his experience. Good luck :)

  • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2015 - 08:08

    Workers not discussing wages with each other gives the employer an advantage to "negotiate individual agreements" (divide and rule). Lucky that people at my workplace discuss their wages openly because everyone gets paid the same as per the agreement entered into by the union.

  • lost69 on 19/10/2015 - 09:53

    I get paid in Teletubbies - isn't that right Tinky Winky? Just don't ever trust the rabbits.

  • lookalive on 19/10/2015 - 12:01

    My wife and I used to go out with a friend of mine, she would ask him how much he earns a year because he would often brag about the perks he got, including side work on the weekends, 12 hours each shift. He would reply "no, I'm not going to tell you" he's assuming I got my wife to ask him, when in actual fact, I couldn't care less. But what got me was that he would often ask me how much I was getting, because at the time I was moving around different jobs, and I would be honest and tell him roughly how much I earnt, like others have said, I have nothing to lose by telling him, and it's not as if I gave him my PIN. Now, I believe I'm earning more than him because his boss is no longing working with him, so no more perks, inc. extra weekend work, and if he asks, I would politely tell him to (profanity) off, as I'm now in his position, funny how he hated his friend's wife because she was rich and snobby.

    • SlickMick on 20/10/2015 - 09:19

      My brother used to ask what I earn every time he got a pay increase. I think he always wanted to be able to say "see you don't need an education", but I'd always had an increase too. He ended up working away at mines trying to compete.
      He hasn't asked in a while, maybe he figures he got there and is satisfied, or maybe he's given up. Hopefully he's realised there's more to life. Funny how competitive people can be.

  • Cluelessness11 on 19/10/2015 - 13:10
    +1

    Well Asians just ask straight out how much you earn, it's a cultural thing I guess. However, being brought up in Australia, I don't think its appropriate to ask. Within my group of friends (none of us work together) it's okay to ask and know because it is mutual understanding that everyone will disclose this, but I would not ask someone I'm not close with specifically how much they earn. I'm a curious person so I ask something more along the lines of is the pay good? Yes or No. If they wish to disclose the amount then good for I get a bit of insight :)

    • scrimshaw on 19/10/2015 - 14:08

      Wealth is correlated with respect in many East Asian countries. As opposed to westerns where the power distance is low.

      It's best demonstrated in China which has a severe demographical issue — the number of men outnumber women by a significant margin. The wealthier and more well educated you are the higher the likelihood it is for a single guy to find a female partner. To put it in less desirable terms, China's females are encourage to partake in 'gold-digging' to ensure they have a prosperous and well-off family.

      This picture pretty much sums it up.
      http://i0.wp.com/www.webonchina.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/…

      It's in pretty much the bridge-to-be's interests to find the best man… and best as in 'richest'.

  • mightyfes on 20/10/2015 - 12:29

    I earn six figures among strangers and I am always broke among friends. Neither is true

  • ilikeradiohead on 20/10/2015 - 13:22
    +1

    I work for the government, so if you know someone's 'level' then you have a band of what they get paid. Eg a level 6 makes $96k - $106k. So I essentially know what everyone makes at work, but if someone asked me I wouldn't tell them.

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 20/10/2015 - 15:41
    +1

    Would anyone here work not for money, but for Eneloops?

  • [Deactivated] on 20/10/2015 - 18:13

    My work place publishes its salary scales every year. There are no many increments and it is pretty obvious where one's level is at (or at least within +/- 1 level). You get paid a fixed scale if you meet the requirements for that scale (hot young female is not among any of those requirements). Past a certain level you can apply to get considered for the next scale as well as the responsibilities and expectations that come with it.

    Outside of my organization, people seldom ask me about my salary anyway. My default answer is "not very much".

  • scupper on 22/10/2015 - 23:19

    Here's a discussion on the topic
    http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/pay…

  • baker bob on 24/10/2015 - 06:10

    It's interesting you mentioned you are Asian because I believe this is different for various cultures. I am of Italian background and when I visited relatives there everyone asked me how much I made.

    I can relate to the manager scenario as it is one I am also faced with, before I decide to work for a promotion, is the extra work a good trade off for the salary increase? I don't know because the salary is unknown.

    My experience is that in a small number of situations it is totally acceptable and in most others it is not. For example if we are having a conversation about property or other types of investing it would be useful to share income / expenses information but just asking anyone how much they make, not really done.

  • donkeydoc on 29/10/2015 - 00:36

    I have no issue with it, most people seem to though but really don't understand why. I'm 25 years old and haven't earned more than $6000 in any financial year, on the verge of signing a contract for $60,000 with huge opportunities to come with it.

    It's interesting to know how much someone makes for their role in the workplace.

  • PTSD on 04/11/2015 - 11:33

    We've been conditioned that it's a social taboo and poor etiquette to discuss salary.
    This position is supported by employers because it helps the employer at the expense of the employee.
    In any negotiation, information is king. The most informed side has the best chance of gaining an advantageous outcome.
    By making salary discussion taboo among peers, it becomes more difficult for employees to determine a fair salary for their position.

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