5 ms·

In all my decades of working, I always thought my employer would fire me if he knew I was discussing my pay with others. I know I was told that could happen mor

In all my decades of working, I always thought my employer would fire me if he knew I was discussing my pay with others. I know I was told that could happen more than once in my early years so I don't know why Google would be any different and I perfectly understand why such discussions should not take place.

frostmatthew 11y ago
> I know I was told that could happen more than once in my early years It's illegal for employers to prohibit employees from discussing compensation[1]. [1] http://www.govdocs.com/can-employees-discuss-pay-salaries/ http://www.govdocs.com/can-employees-discuss-pay-salaries/
- justwannasing 11y ago
  At a glance, it looks like that changed just in April, 2014.
  - frostmatthew 11y ago
    2014 is when (by executive order) it was extended to employees of Federal contractors that weren't covered by the NLRA. For those covered by the NLRA (nearly all private companies) the law has been on the books for well over half a century[1] (discussing pay is considered a "concerted activity"[2]). [1] https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/157 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/157 [2] http://www.govdocs.com/can-employees-discuss-pay-salaries/ http://www.govdocs.com/can-employees-discuss-pay-salaries/
  - aaronchall 11y ago
    The US Labor Relations Act has been around since 1935. It's nothing new: 29 U.S. Code § 157 - Right of employees as to organization, collective bargaining, etc. - https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/157 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/157
    - justwannasing 11y ago
      Yes it has been but that has nothing to do with what we're talking about.
      - justwannasing 11y ago
        Interesting. I'm talking about when the "don't talk about salary" rule was passed. His reply is a link to an article about when the Labor Relations board was established and I got downvoted?
        frostmatthew 11y ago
        His or her reply was a link to the law that made it illegal for employers to prohibit employees from discussing compensation, which is exactly what we're talking about so it shouldn't be a huge surprise that a comment suggesting that "has nothing to do with what we're talking about" would get downvoted. More importantly though, since it appears you're fairly new here, I'd suggest reading the HN Guidelines[1], particularly "Please resist commenting about being downvoted. It never does any good, and it makes boring reading." [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
        justwannasing 11y ago
        Actually, no, as I will repeat, his link has nothing to do with what we're talking about. I'm not new here. Been coming here since forever. Just have to get a new account every time I get fed up with near-Reddit like posts and type something. Just like now.

frostmatthew 11y ago

> I know I was told that could happen more than once in my early years It's illegal for employers to prohibit employees from discussing compensation[1]. [1] http://www.govdocs.com/can-employees-discuss-pay-salaries/ http://www.govdocs.com/can-employees-discuss-pay-salaries/

justwannasing 11y ago
At a glance, it looks like that changed just in April, 2014.
- frostmatthew 11y ago
  2014 is when (by executive order) it was extended to employees of Federal contractors that weren't covered by the NLRA. For those covered by the NLRA (nearly all private companies) the law has been on the books for well over half a century[1] (discussing pay is considered a "concerted activity"[2]). [1] https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/157 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/157 [2] http://www.govdocs.com/can-employees-discuss-pay-salaries/ http://www.govdocs.com/can-employees-discuss-pay-salaries/
- aaronchall 11y ago
  The US Labor Relations Act has been around since 1935. It's nothing new: 29 U.S. Code § 157 - Right of employees as to organization, collective bargaining, etc. - https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/157 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/157
  - justwannasing 11y ago
    Yes it has been but that has nothing to do with what we're talking about.
    - justwannasing 11y ago
      Interesting. I'm talking about when the "don't talk about salary" rule was passed. His reply is a link to an article about when the Labor Relations board was established and I got downvoted?
      - frostmatthew 11y ago
        His or her reply was a link to the law that made it illegal for employers to prohibit employees from discussing compensation, which is exactly what we're talking about so it shouldn't be a huge surprise that a comment suggesting that "has nothing to do with what we're talking about" would get downvoted. More importantly though, since it appears you're fairly new here, I'd suggest reading the HN Guidelines[1], particularly "Please resist commenting about being downvoted. It never does any good, and it makes boring reading." [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
        justwannasing 11y ago
        Actually, no, as I will repeat, his link has nothing to do with what we're talking about. I'm not new here. Been coming here since forever. Just have to get a new account every time I get fed up with near-Reddit like posts and type something. Just like now.