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

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


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In my industry, job adverts (if going that route) give a £xx+ figure, Based on experience. However, most people will be headhunted by agencies or competitors so there's no real benchmark

There are pay bands for perm staff where I am at the mo but at any given grade that's probably £5-15k, so could be as much as 25% between top and bottom...and I'm sure there's also flexibility for incomers
Ah, headhunting in my line of work isn't allowed, lottery fund, trustees and donors insist on recruitment being open, (that doesn't mean that we don't hold someone by the shoulders, look them straight in the eye and say "such and such vacancy is being advertised next week" if they would fit) so we know to plus or minus a thousand p.a.
 

marinyork

Resting in suspended Animation
Location
Logopolis
Never "act up" unofficially. Ever. Even if they don't pay you, and some won't, make sure a record of your service goes in your record. For all sorts of reasons.

Doesn't apply to me, however it does go on on an absolutely vast industrial scale. And the vast majority don't pay. It is a good manager's/equal pay lawyer's worst nightmare but one of the biggest causes of resentment in the workplace in my experience.
 
Just a by-the-by thought - all the pussy-footing I've read above is a sure-fire recipe for discrimination on the basis of anything from gender and race, to the boss's taste in bra size.

What is so wrong with transparency? If somebody's doing a superb job, not a problem in recognising and rewarding it? Or is that too simple?
 

vickster

Squire
Just a by-the-by thought - all the pussy-footing I've read above is a sure-fire recipe for discrimination on the basis of anything from gender and race, to the boss's taste in bra size.

What is so wrong with transparency? If somebody's doing a superb job, not a problem in recognising and rewarding it? Or is that too simple?
Yes, office politics can be very subtle. I guess there is probably more transparency in the public sector, although I've only ever worked in the private so that could be rubbish
 

marzjennings

Legendary Member
We don't discuss pay over here, it just never happens at work or even in private life.

I did though have an interesting episode about 2 years back when a team mate was promoted to team lead and became my boss. He was pissed when he found out I was and continue to earn more than he does. He became a right pain in the arse and as soon as I could move teams I did.
 

RichardB

Slightly retro
Location
West Wales
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.
Very true. In a previous job I was a staff trainer for an advertising company and one of the main messages to new staff (many of whom were young) was never to write any comment on a customer's account that they couldn't justify and would be happy hearing read out in court. There had been occasions in the past when a customer in dispute with the company had demanded disclosure of every piece of writing the company held about them, and that included account memos. Finding that one short-lived employee had written "this guy is a complete c*nt" on the booking system led to some interesting moments in court, and did not help the company's case even slightly.

Personally, I have no problem with other people knowing what I earn (which isn't a lot these days), but I don't tend to tell people because many folks have a habit of judging people on their income and I would rather be judged for who I am.
 

martint235

Dog on a bike
Location
Welling
I earn way less than I'm worth.
That's when I'd be upset. Or not so much "I earn way less than I'm worth" as that will always be the case but if I felt that I was receiving less in the overall package (including soft things like being able to wake up and say "Sod it I'll work from home today") than I felt my time and effort was worth I'd go and look for another job. Caring about what Joe Bloggs earns next to you is just going to make you bitter and twisted when you find out it's more.
 

swansonj

Guru
That's when I'd be upset. Or not so much "I earn way less than I'm worth" as that will always be the case but if I felt that I was receiving less in the overall package (including soft things like being able to wake up and say "Sod it I'll work from home today") than I felt my time and effort was worth I'd go and look for another job. Caring about what Joe Bloggs earns next to you is just going to make you bitter and twisted when you find out it's more.
It's just like bike envy isn't it....
 

SpokeyDokey

68, & my GP says I will officially be old at 70!
Moderator
Have any of you ever felt over rewarded?

Early part of my career I always thought I was worth more (although in reality I earned well from the off).

Mid-career I always felt it was about right.

Latter part (7-8 years or so) I always thought my package was a bit OTT.

Maybe some psychology (changing sense of value) or societal conscience (can I really justify this) at play there? Not sure.
 

martint235

Dog on a bike
Location
Welling
Have any of you ever felt over rewarded?

Early part of my career I always thought I was worth more (although in reality I earned well from the off).

Mid-career I always felt it was about right.

Latter part (7-8 years or so) I always thought my package was a bit OTT.

Maybe some psychology (changing sense of value) or societal conscience (can I really justify this) at play there? Not sure.
I've once told my management that my job should be done away with, does that count? It took about 6 months to close it down and then I moved into another role.
 

Dan B

Disengaged member
If your company is vaguely rational about these things, your earnings will be in a range bounded by (1) the value you bring to the business (they're not going to employ you if you cost more than you generate), and (2) the amount they have to pay you to prevent you upping sticks and leaving. You can negotiate by varying what you tell them (2) is, but except in quite unusual cases the only way you're going to find out the upper bound - what figure they place on (1) - is by finding other people doing comparable work and finding out what they're paid. So, should you tell other people what you earn? Depends if you think your interests should be aligned with your colleagues or your managers.

http://www.kalzumeus.com/2015/05/01/talking-about-money/

http://www.kalzumeus.com/2012/01/23/salary-negotiation/
 

marinyork

Resting in suspended Animation
Location
Logopolis
The Equality and Human Rights Commission make it clear:

Quite aware of all of that. However I had the self awareness not to post that to be seen to be the really boring one hijacking someone's thread! So thanks can pass that honour onto you. You could at least have gone ad far as posting the examples though!

I was talking about this topic at great length on Tuesday as it happens.
 
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