Why do employers as employees to keep their pay confidential

The answer to the 2nd half of this question will vary, depending on state, but, in California, there is no law that prohibits you from discussing your pay.

The reason employers ask you to keep it confidential is multi-leveled.

The main reason is it is really no one else's business. Just as it is not their business to know what you make, it is not your business to know what they make.

Another reason is jealousy. If you are a better employee, and you therefore make more money, someone who is not as good as you may get jealous if they discover the difference. It can create a lot of hate and discontent. They may feel entitled to as much as you and actually get mad at you, as well as the company.

Im sure you could come up with other reasons along this line.

Hello Jen:

Nope.

excon

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I didn't drink the koolaid

Let me tell you a story. My first full time job was with a company that had a VERY structured training program. ALL employees went through this program and as, they progressed their salary increased. Therefore, everyone knew what everyone else made up to a certain level. When I moved on to my second job, we started by moving the operations of a recently purchased subsidiary to the HQ of the parent. Several people from different positions had to travel to learn the operations from the current employees. Since we were all away from home, we generally had dinners together. At one of these dinners I mentioned my salary because I thought everyone knew, and one of the people in a different position got upset because I was making more than him.

I learned then that you do not discuss your salary with your co-workers. This can lead to jealousies and other issues. Employers do not like it for similar reasons. But there are no laws prohibiting it.

May I ask why you are asking?

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I got fired from one job, what happened was the janitor must have went though my desk and found one of my check stubs, and they told everyone what I made, but they told people I had told them. The company beleived that I had told him ( he would certainly not go though my desk ?)

But yes, often people in the same job may be paid very different, so the lower paid ones will be mad,

In some jobs, pay is posted, when I worked for the college, you could even look our pay up online.

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There is no law per se but would you like everyone else working alongside you to know exactly what your pay is? Not a good idea to share such information anytime.

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My answers are my own opinions or from personal knowledge or experience.