Is it disrespectful to ask how much you earn in the workplace ?

[vickster]

My brother works for John Lewis, his (and every other partner's) bonus (% of salary) gets reported in the press...can't see why it's anyone else's business, not like he works in the public sector or indeed a PLC. Not aware of it happening with any other private business?

A democratic system however, everyone gets the same % although of course the actual amount varies

 

[Dayvo]

On the rare occasions I'm asked by friends or casual (nosey) acquaintances, I reply, 'I probably earn much less than you, but I probably have a much better disposable income than you.' That always baffles them.

 

[Tin Pot]

On the rare occasions I'm asked by friends or casual (nosey) acquaintances, I reply, 'I probably earn much less than you, but I probably have a much better disposable income than you.' That always baffles them.

Ha ha - I say the opposite.

 

[Arrowfoot]

Are they? I'm not at all certain they have to do either simply because of the scale of operation.

Just checked with the HR folks. Legal has advised them that an employee is entitled to see all data relating to that employee kept by the company including any benchmarking data that is done. Only the benchmark grade and vocation that is equivalent to the employee grade need to be disclosed. This according to them is provided by law under Section 10 of the Data Protection Act where an individual is entitled to obtain all data associated with that individual.

Interestingly the Act applies not just to employees but any data kept by any company on any individual. For example, if I was getting shite service from Bike company X after I disputed a previous purchase, I can send them a subject access form to disclose all data kept about me including internal memo about me. The intention of the Act apparently is ensure that correct data is kept. Hope this helps.

 

[summerdays]

I've always worked in places with set pay scales, so you just needed to know the grade to know what someone was on.

 

[screenman]

I am self employed I have no idea how much I earn each year, I have to wait for my accountant to tell me.

 

[Crackle]

Equality is not the point - Equity is.

I meant what I said. You can add equity to it as well if you like.

 

[jonny jeez]

Not disrespectful but daft and pointless. There will always be disappointment one way or the other

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Just checked with the HR folks. Legal has advised them that an employee is entitled to see all data relating to that employee kept by the company including any benchmarking data that is done. Only the benchmark grade and vocation that is equivalent to the employee grade need to be disclosed. This according to them is provided by law under Section 10 of the Data Protection Act where an individual is entitled to obtain all data associated with that individual.

Interestingly the Act applies not just to employees but any data kept by any company on any individual. For example, if I was getting shite service from Bike company X after I disputed a previous purchase, I can send them a subject access form to disclose all data kept about me including internal memo about me. The intention of the Act apparently is ensure that correct data is kept. Hope this helps.

That's an interesting, not to say novel, interpretation of subject's rights under the DPA, ime/imo, and not one I've heard before in the context of benchmark data.

 

[growingvegetables]

Bottom line - what's so wrong with transparency about salaries and bonuses?

Dunno about anybody else, but if there are bits kept secret, I suspect shenanigans. To my loss.

 

[midlife]

My pay point is easy to work out on the internet, what is more difficult to see are the extras people earn. My "shadow" in Newcastle on which my job is based earns about £50,000 more than me.........

Shaun

 

[LocalLad]

Surely people can get pretty close based on job adverts?

 

[Drago]

As a public servant I don't mind the public knowing what i earn. That's important in principle.

We're I in private enterprise then what I earn is between me an My employer, and if I don't like it I cancel the arrangement whenever I want. Knowing what someone else in the room earns is unlikely to be useful to.me or make me any happier, so I would be happy to keep my curiosity in check.

 

[DCLane]

Like @Cubist my salary's public knowledge; people know the grade everyone's on and therefore the salary range if not the salary.

Personally I wouldn't ask but in education you basically know. To me salary is irrelevant; it's about the person.

 

[SWSteve]

Just checked with the HR folks. Legal has advised them that an employee is entitled to see all data relating to that employee kept by the company including any benchmarking data that is done. Only the benchmark grade and vocation that is equivalent to the employee grade need to be disclosed. This according to them is provided by law under Section 10 of the Data Protection Act where an individual is entitled to obtain all data associated with that individual.

Interestingly the Act applies not just to employees but any data kept by any company on any individual. For example, if I was getting shite service from Bike company X after I disputed a previous purchase, I can send them a subject access form to disclose all data kept about me including internal memo about me. The intention of the Act apparently is ensure that correct data is kept. Hope this helps.

Yes, you can, for example, ask your bank for all of the information they hold about you. There would be a nominal fee, but they have to provide it in 14 days I think.