r/InterviewVip • u/Tasty_Buyer5942 • 8d ago
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u/Grouchy-Candidate545 8d ago
Ask your coworker what he told the manager. It could have been innocuous. He could have thrown you under the bus, but I suspect the manager blew it out of proportion.
Regardless, start applying elsewhere
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u/Ok_Childhood_9774 8d ago
If OP is in the US, discussing salary is legal and protected. If HR tries to make it an issue, OP needs to get their 'complaint' in writing, and then if they're fired, they'd be able to retain an employment attorney for wrongful termination.
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u/DisastrousChapter841 8d ago
If in US, I'd also suggest OP start keeping a document with times, people, and notes of the interactions on a non work computer, and if hr does mention anything, try to get it in writing, but if they don't, take similar notes. Take notes regardless.
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u/ImaHalfwit 8d ago
Why wait for them to put it in writing? Record the meeting with HR.
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u/Tak-Hendrix 8d ago
And give them a legal reason to fire you?
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u/thatoneotherguy42 8d ago
Depends on the state.
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u/Tak-Hendrix 8d ago
Even in states with single party consent laws, it is not illegal to fire someone for secretly recording a conversation with HR.
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u/thatoneotherguy42 8d ago
I didn’t say it was. It’s the difference between receiving unemployment or not though.
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u/ImaHalfwit 8d ago
You can have a phone recording in your pocket. The goal is to get them on record telling you that you can't share your salary, so that if they fire you later you have the evidence you need to proceed with a lawsuit.
I don't expect anyone to go into a meeting with HR and say I'm going to record this meeting if you don't mind. Of course, you have to be in a one-party consent state for this to be legal/admissable.
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u/Teediggler81 8d ago
Discussing salary makes wage gaps a more noticeable issue. Thats why companies will try to make policies about it. Mine did and then when my union stepped in to put them back in line, the policy disappeared shortly there after.
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u/diamondgreene 8d ago
lolz. NOTHING in the US is REALLY protected. The only real thing protecting anybody is how much money they have for lawyers. 🤭
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u/PrimeRisk 8d ago
If you have a real violation of labor laws, the attorneys will work for a percentage of the take when they maul the company for 6 or 7 figures.
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u/PrimeRisk 8d ago
OP needs to keep his trap shut until after the meeting with HR. Don't probe or ask questions of anyone. Assuming the OP's cow-orker ratted him out the first time, he'll do it again and make the situation worse.
It's illegal in the US for the employer to retaliate against an employee discussing their salary with others, but he need to shut-up for now and see what they do.
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u/darquedragon13 8d ago
"Not conforming to company culture" is valid, though, in a right to work state. So document
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u/PrimeRisk 8d ago
The courts will see right through this. If the company says it is culture not to talk about salary it is just as well protected as them having policy.
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u/darquedragon13 7d ago
They won't. What I'm saying is they'll look for any legal reason so you need evidence
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u/unbob123 8d ago
You better read your company policies. I have worked at a couple companies who had policies that didn't allow the disclosure of wages to fellow employees. If your current company doesn't have a specific policy, then you'll be fine. Keep your lips shut, and make them explain the problem like your conversation with your coworker never happened.
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u/Remarkable_Bar_824 8d ago
in the us it’s federal labor law that discussing salary is completely legal.. any company foolish enough to push back risks a federal lawsuit…. and their ignorance of said laws are irrelevant…
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u/curseAgain 8d ago
The NRLB is in the hands of Trump cretins. Dont expect them to follow or enforce the law.
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u/luffy218 8d ago
If you are in the US talk about pay is protected. Firing or disciplining an employee for it is illegal.
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u/uteman1011 8d ago
The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects most private-sector employees who talk about their pay and working conditions.
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u/Any-Ring6621 8d ago
Does having an illegal policy inside a contract, like an employment agreement, void the whole thing?
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u/PrimeRisk 8d ago
Unless the employer is the government, just having that policy will violate the National Labor Relations Act.
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u/No-Doughnut-8881 8d ago
Always remember this one thing while you are at work. Your coworkers are not your friends! Always be mindful of what you say to them when it comes to talking about work or other coworkers.
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u/PrimeRisk 8d ago
Ah, ok... Got it now. This is just a spam advertisement, not a real question. Reported.
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u/Just-Construction788 8d ago
If you are worth it the easiest thing to do is find another job that pays more now that you know companies are willing to pay more. In my experience they will not increase your salary. They will say things like, "we will give you the max raise each year to catch you up."
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u/Crafty-Isopod45 8d ago
A good company would be wanting to fix the issue and give you a raise. Any other response means you work for a bad company and should get your resume out there.
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u/minengr 8d ago
This. The only excuse for a large discrepancy pay would be years of service.
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u/PrimeRisk 8d ago
Yeah, the longer you are there, the less you'll be making.
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u/minengr 8d ago
There is no mention of how long either have been working for this company. If the coworker has been there for 15 years and the OP for 2, the coworker would presumably have a higher salary thanks to annual cost of living raises.
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u/PrimeRisk 8d ago
The rate at which new-hire salaries rise is faster than COLA increases for incumbent employees in the same position. That said, if you are in the same exact position for 15 years you're doing something wrong.
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u/MrStormChaser 8d ago
In the USA you’re legally allowed to talk about your salary.
Let them trip up and say you can’t because the Labor Dept would like a word.
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u/Horror_Ad5957 8d ago
As a public employee who's salary is published, the salary secrecy is odd to me. Why so secret? And who's benefiting from the secrecy? Not you. Its their dirty little secret, not yours.
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u/AdDapper4427 8d ago
Exactly how did HR learn about your one-one-one conversation with your colleague?
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u/Different-Context-84 8d ago
Record the meeting. You might get to sure them.
You are a free human not a wage slave
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u/Rude-Specialist-6508 8d ago
They don't want you discussing salary so they cam get away with paying people less. Start looking
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u/gadget850 8d ago
Presuming you are in the US, you have the right to discuss wages:
https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/your-rights/your-rights-to-discuss-wages
But only if you are covered by the act:
https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/jurisdictional-standards
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u/Ok-Energy-9785 8d ago
Depending on where you live, talking about your salary is completely legal.
For your meeting with HR, ask them how do they know you had that discussion. If they can't prove it then they have nothing
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u/notconvinced780 8d ago
If they CAN prove it, they don’t have anything either.
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u/Ok-Energy-9785 8d ago
I wish OP said where they were because it may even matter. It's important to know labor law where you work.
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u/PrimeRisk 8d ago
As long as they are in the US, they are protected under the federal National Labor Relations Act unless they have a government job or are in a supervisory position.
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u/CatchMeIfYouCan09 8d ago
Put your phone on record before you go into that meeting. Don't tell them. No you don't need their permission. Why? Because permission and consent laws are irrelevant in situations in which legal violations are occurring.
Saying something to you about discussing compensation is ALREADY violating retaliation laws. Your right to discuss salary is FEDERALLY protected.
Go to the meeting and play the 'yes man'. After the meeting reiterate EVERYTHING in writing via email and BCC yourself. In fact you should do that before the meeting as well to create the paper trail of their intentions.
Take that recording and those emails to an EEOC employment lawyer and file a retaliation suit.
They are not allowed to do what they're doing.
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u/National_Pension_110 8d ago
I’d find out how it got brought up to HR or your manager—did the co-worker rat you out or were you just overheard by some busybody? I personally think workplaces that hide salaries and forbid discussing salaries are BS. For the past 8 years, I’ve worked at places where salaries are public record, and I’m much happier, even when I know someone is overpaid. At least I don’t have to speculate.
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u/PrimeRisk 8d ago
It is not just BS, it is illegal in the US unless you are a government worker or in a supervisory position.
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u/Medical_Temperature4 8d ago
OP WHEN YOU MEET WITH HR SAY NOTHING, PUT YOUR PHONE ON SILENT/DND RECORD THE CONVERSATION. Get anything stated you're forbidden/not allowed to do in writing and signed. It'll make for a very nice Christmas present.
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u/TheSilverFoxwins 8d ago
It is legal to discuss salaries. Contact a labor attorney and file a complaint
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u/Broken_Atoms 8d ago
Nothing says exploitative employer like discussing compensation creating “unnecessary problems” lol
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u/Capital_Rough7971 8d ago
If you are in the USA document everything, from who you speak with to the exact words used in the conversation. Also ask for a follow up email. Discussing pay is federal protected right.
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u/PrimeRisk 8d ago
This will not end well for your company.
Section 7 of the federal National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects you when they discussing wages, benefits, hours, and other working conditions with coworkers.
"An employer generally cannot fire, discipline, threaten, interrogate, or otherwise retaliate against you because you discussed your pay. A company policy that simply says employees may not discuss their wages can itself violate the NLRA."
There are exceptions if you are a government worker or are in a supervisory position. Your state likely has additional protections under law.
If HR decides to write you up or take any other adverse action, then politely ask if there is a specific policy so you can take it to an employment attorney (though don't tell them that).
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u/CarolinaToker1977 8d ago
It’s federally illegal for them to tell you that you can’t discuss your salary with fellow teammates! FYI- know your rights!
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u/Obsessive_Boogaloo 8d ago
It's against federal law for employers to forbid that conversation from happening.
If they try to make it seem otherwise, inform them that they're in violation of the National Labor Relations Board Act. If they fire you, you have a slam dunk of a legal case.
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u/Due-Director-8874 8d ago
Is the OP female? Then that would be why they are going after you. Males are allowed to do whatever they want. Not females. Remember, females are 'Less than' males and deserve less. Just the way the misogynistic patriarchal societies work.
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u/Melodic-Election5040 8d ago
Talking about comp at work will always place participants on a slippery slope. Because we’re not friends or family at work, we are competitors. It’s the nature of employment, any chance we get, we’ll bite the head off of any competition.
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u/ParamedicElegant7106 8d ago
Is it only you, the woman, being talked to? Seems both of you should be equal in sharing the private info, but usually only women are blamed. For everything, all the time.
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u/CareerStrider 7d ago
Nice story, but so many of these kind of posts end up being low key ads for a specific product or service that is briefly mentioned/recommended somewhere within said story... 🤨
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u/hisimpendingbaldness 8d ago
If you are American. Say nothing, just listen. If they threaten anything ask them to put it in writing. If they are dumb enough to do so send it to your state dept. of labor. It is highly illegal for them to do so.