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    Coworkers refuse to tell employee making $20/hr how much they make, are afraid it will embarrass them: 'Then they give me this like disgusted look like, "oh..."'

    When your coworkers are afraid to tell you how much they make, you might be in trouble. 

    In this country, we're weirdly conditioned to be secretive about money. We're taught that it's improper to bring up in polite company. We're afraid that we might offend someone, come off as braggadocious, materialistic, or complain-y. And sure, there are ways you shouldn't talk about money. If you know you have more than someone, you shouldn't rub it in their face. You should never make anyone feel bad about their funds, and if that means keeping your mouth shut, then so be it. But there are just as many situations where it's beneficial to talk about money. You know this if you've ever been around friends who are your age and work in similar fields, and when you start discussing your salary, you realize you're making a lot less than they are. This can be important data. 

    This is even more true around your coworkers. If you know how much they are making, then you can have a clearer idea of where you fall in the ranks, which is ultimately helpful for you. It can give you leverage to ask for more. It can embolden you to look for other jobs. It can give you an idea of just how much you are valued in your place of work. But employers don't always like that kind of talk… for that reason. Knowledge is power, and if it doesn't serve you, you might be scared of it. 

    Author image for JR Atkinson JR Atkinson
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    • A man looks suspicious at a coworker next to him
      via Jeremy

      The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    • This employee found out the importance of this kind of discussion the hard way, when it naturally came up among their coworkers. After letting a harmless quip slip that revealed their wage, the reaction of their coworkers spoke volumes. They weren't quite sure how to handle it, so they kept further information to themselves. This employee did not appreciate their secrecy, though, and wondered if something more was going on there. The way they saw it, they needed the info to use as potential ammunition. The way the coworkers saw it, they didn't want to cause undue distress. Read on for the full picture of the story and decide what you think.

    • A coworker asked how much I made, but wouldn't answer back when I asked them.

      We just had a lot of new hires in the place I've been working at for the past 3-4 years. I jokingly say, "Well I gotta stay the extra 30 minutes, that's another $10 in my pocket haha!" to one of them, then they get all puzzled asked how much I make. I tell them. Then they give me this like disgusted look like, "oh..."
      via u/itsPomy
    • So I turn it around and ask how much they made, and they just go **"I don't think I should tell you :D... but you should go ask for a raise."**
      via u/itsPomy
    • And by golly. I really wanted crash out and be like, **"HOW U GONNA DENY ME THE INFO THAT WOULD HELP ME GET A RAISE, THEN TELL ME TO ASK FOR ONE."** Work ain't gonna give me out of the goodness of their hearts lol. But I was about to leave for the day so I didn't crash out Imao. I'm actually quite comfortable with my position and lifestyle. I'm left alone and get enough money for all my hobbies and needs.
      via u/itsPomy
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    • But man I'm just annoyed, don't ask questions you're not comfortable answering yourself lol. ESPECIALLY when its wages or general welfare, that is vital information to know if everyones being treated fairly. I think its actually pretty stupid that its taboo. to talk about pay.
      via u/itsPomy
    • A woman and a man work on something together at a table with a laptop
      via Jeremy

      The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    • Commenters added their two cents.

      MrBrawn This is going to be harsh but the pay difference between you two is so great that he is embarrassed and doesn't want to rock the boat. If it makes it back to management they would look down on him even though it isn't illegal to talk salary with your coworkers.
      via u/MrBrawn
    • Overperform, request a raise at review time and if they dont commit, this is where I would normally reccomend finding something new but in this economy I reccomend people keep their jobs.
      via u/MrBrawn
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    • Ted BundysVlkswag... I used to work at a job where the new people would make more than the senior people.
      via u/TedBundysVlkswagon
    • teeekuuu Sounds like the discrepancy is so big that they were embarrassed and uncomfortable to tell you theirs, thinking you'd lash out at them or go to the manager with "THIS GUY TOLD ME YOU ARE TAKING ME FROM BEHIND EVERY WEEK"
      via u/teeekuuu
    • Ask for a raise and/or start interviewing, looks like you are underpaid by much more. than the raise you could realistically get. Or be paid less and lay low, someone has to do that too.
      via u/teeekuuu
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    • Parody_of_Self You need to do some research of what other people with a similar job in your area make. Did you check glass door? And other jobsites
      via u/Parody_of_Self
    • Darkrose50 Overtime is normally time and a half. if it was time and a half and your normal pay is $20 an hour, then it would be $15 for a half an hour.
      via u/Darkrose50
    • ricksterr90 I once worked at a place where they were accidentally paying me 70$ extra a day. Every pay day when everyone starts pulling out their pay stubs and discussing wages, I quietly just kept to myself. I noticed a friend doing the same thing months later so
      via u/ricksterr90
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    • just straight up asked him, and sure enough he was getting the 70 extra as well. We both agreed not to say shit because once the word gets out, it's all over. This went on for 3 years, and we all had to take a bus to and from work. Eventually it got out, more and more people
      via u/ricksterr90
    • were getting it and joking about it on the bus rides. That's when HR put out a letter revealing the error. It was hilarious, they wanted it all paid back. Luckily this one job had such a high turnover rate, and the project was near completion, they needed us there so bad they just ignored it. I miss that job
      via u/ricksterr90
    • The error was the bus rides. The further you had to travel the more you got per day, maximum of 70, which was about a 40 minute ride. But if you switched to the short 5 minute ride and park your car close, you still got to keep the 70 per day. It's on you to message HR and get the lower pay. No thanks
      via u/ricksterr90
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    • ApprehensiveKey14... Say "another day another dollar". Your colleagues are bell ends. I once worked in a place where the new boss was reducing the pay of all new appointments. When I left I showed them my last payslip and what the pay used to be at their point.
      via u/ApprehensiveKey1469
    • thenord321 Screw that behavior, stop training or helping them. The next new hire can tell you when they get fired for poor performance.
      via u/thenord321

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