Comments on: Why Is It So Taboo To Talk About Salary And Compensation?

By: Greg Keene

Greg Keene — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:49:38 +0000

I work in an industry where salary is supposed to be based on performance. I don't ask anyone else what they make, because if I find out that someone who I feel isn't working as hard as me, makes more money than me, it would very likely impact the relationship. It probably shouldn't but it would. .-= Greg Keene´s last blog ..Are you ready to help someone else? =-.

By: Don | High Yield ETF

Don | High Yield ETF — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:18:12 +0000

I don’t know. I have never really understood that either. I have asked my friends how much they make, and told them what I make, but they usually look at me sideways, like “why did you ask me that, you know you’re not supposed to ask me that.”

Whatever – taboo is not taboo. Get over it people! It’s just a question.

By: Jamel Rose

Jamel Rose — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:16:40 +0000

from an employee relations’ perspective, the requirement can create ill will from exempt employees who consistently work more than 40 hours a week without additional compensation.

By: How Much Money Do You Make? | MiB Smarter Money

How Much Money Do You Make? | MiB Smarter Money — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:55:19 +0000

[...] in your email! Thanks for stopping by!It’s looked down on in a lot of circles to inquire, and maybe even rude in others and here at the MiB, we’re looking to dig deep into the depths of the questions. [...]

By: Shortcut #2: Swallow Your Pride | David on Finance

Shortcut #2: Swallow Your Pride | David on Finance — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:34:16 +0000

[...] apparent taboo of talking about money is widely talked about. Personally, I think it’s a hold-over from centuries ago when it was considered [...]

By: Should I hire an accountant or do my taxes on my own? - My Investing Blog

Should I hire an accountant or do my taxes on my own? - My Investing Blog — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:15:41 +0000

[...] I’m not stupid, I know the GENERAL amount that I should be getting (or paying) based on my salary, my house, and what I’ve got invested elsewhere – So maybe he is not getting all the break [...]

By: JC

JC — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:14:11 +0000

Sometimes it’s taboo because we all might get paid different amounts in the company. So if person A gets paid $70k while person B is paid $60k because he’s a bad negotiator or whatnot, it might cause some stress to the manager if person B found out.

But I don’t really care. If people asks me directly I’ll tell them how much I make.

By: Lawrence Cheok | A Long Long Road

Lawrence Cheok | A Long Long Road — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:02:51 +0000

Interesting discussion Hank.

Well, I’m from Singapore, an Asian country. Down here, it’s pretty much of a taboo to discuss salary openly.

I’ve heard of cases where coworkers got wind of each others’ income and the relationship turned sour. they were comparing what they did and what they got paid for.

I do business development, and I know that often, one’s salary is not tied only to how much work one does. There are market forces like supply and demand at one… it can cause situations where one who contribute more gets less than someone who contribute less (in the short term, at least).

So… I hope this gives some clarity.

By: hank

hank — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:46:04 +0000

@Alex – thanks for the comment – are you from the US? At your day job, do you headhunt for technical jobs or just a certain business?

@Raymond – thanks for stopping by – I tend to agree, in theory, with what you say, but I’m sure there are pros and cons to disclosing the salary – but I DO like your idea of showing what a position CAN make – and then laying it out to show the person where they CAN go based on their performance -

@Aaron – I can see the shame factor also, but like I said, if they WERE shown, people would have to be living in a “plastic world” thus helping them out – what do you think?

By: Aaron Stroud

Aaron Stroud — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:31:04 +0000

I think another factor (albeit a minor one) is shame. I think most people know when they’re living beyond their means. If everyone knew how much you made, how could you get away with funding your current lifestyle with credit?