A lot of places also forbid you from talking about your pay with other employees. I assume because that way if you find out you still can't say anything without possible repercussions
coworkers don't like when others get a higher salary, when i started there was only one other who had a higher salary, 2 years later and 4 pay rises, i was making the same per week as the owner. Other guy was there for 15 years, but i strive to be better and to excel at my job, and it pays off. You're paid what you're worth, you don't get paid to work better.
In a perfect world maybe. I worked at a job for several years. I was one of the most used employees, given a lot more responsibility than most of the others, did my best to train and help others, established good raport with several customers, worked in multiple departments, was one of the few employees that covered shifts, etc etc etc.
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I'm not going to lie and say I was a perfect or even awesome employee, I just know I was better and more relied upon than others.
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Two other employees worked there at different intervals. Both woul constantly come to work looking half dead, barely open their eyes, be apathetic with customers, spend as much time either in the back or talking to other employees as possible, call in sick almost constantly, bring food on the floor, be on their phones almost constantly-- even in front of customers. Etc etc etc
I know for a fact that at least one of them was paid a significant (in relation to the salary-- it was minimum wage so eh) amount more than me for no other reason than the boss liked them for some reason.
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I'm not saying this to be bitter or anything, just that sometimes merit and contribution doesn't get you ahead, sadly
I know, it's difficult subject, friends on FB, posted about inequality in salary, i replied i have the same job title as my female coworker, but i make about 40% more than she does. But i explained i do a lot more, more efficiently and better than anyone else, it stopped the debate quickly
Just FYI to add, in the US it's illegal for them to forbid you from discussing your salary. They legally can't do shit for you talking about it, unless you live in one of those states where they can fire you for any reason they want. Even then though I'd imagine you'd be able to try and sue them or something since they'd be breaking the law.
guest is right; it might be taboo to talk about it, but it's your basic human right. That doesn't mean that they have to respond politely, or even at all, but it does mean that you have a chance of basic equality in the workplace.
It's only taboo because we let it be. There is really no logical reason why this should be a taboo topic. I get that someone might feel envious of someone else's pay but if your wages are based on merit (which they should be) then open discussion of wages would actually encourage a better work environment.
@lolcats121 I'm actually considering migrating to Eastern Australia when I can afford it; because I would honestly be surprised if we aren't nuked somewhere before 2050. Also politics, refusal to adopt the metric system, crime rate, lack of any unique culture, every second person making fun of every other country's culture, actual unironic racism/sexism where I live, crappy weather where I live, crappy people where I live, and I'm an aspiring marine biologist and would like to explore the Earth a bit more. There's a lot more, but I think I've made my point.
Honestly it isn't much better here. If US is a melting pot of problems and politics, then Australia is just one huge swamp, where nothing really happens and social progress is even slower than elsewhere. And the grass is always greener on the other side, so I wouldn't be expecting too much if I were in your position.
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I'm not going to lie and say I was a perfect or even awesome employee, I just know I was better and more relied upon than others.
'
Two other employees worked there at different intervals. Both woul constantly come to work looking half dead, barely open their eyes, be apathetic with customers, spend as much time either in the back or talking to other employees as possible, call in sick almost constantly, bring food on the floor, be on their phones almost constantly-- even in front of customers. Etc etc etc
'
I'm not saying this to be bitter or anything, just that sometimes merit and contribution doesn't get you ahead, sadly