Discussing salary with co workers

SansNom · Oct 27, 2019

Some people on here are saying that it's not anyone else's business.......but actually it very much is.

Here's the catch though, and why I think it might be such a touchy subject: your value as an employee is not entirely a quantifiable, objective matter (how much experience, title, etc). There are a lot of subjective factors that cannot be measured on paper (your attitude, motivation and self-initiative, etc) that affect your value to the team.

Say another nurse on my floor has exactly the same education and experience and title, but is lazy and is always bringing the team down with their bad attitude and doing sloppy work, should they get the same pay as someone who is a great team player and on top of their game?

Even "performance evaluations" can't quantify some of these factors, but they do matter.

rzyzzy · Oct 27, 2019

6 hours ago, Rionoir said:
So why are you still working there? ?‍♂️

Sucking up overtime with a straw because there’s a nurse out on temporary disability..

prolly gone when she gets back.. ?

rzyzzy · Oct 27, 2019

4 hours ago, SansNom said:
Some people on here are saying that it's not anyone else's business.......but actually it very much is.
Here's the catch though, and why I think it might be such a touchy subject: your value as an employee is not entirely a quantifiable, objective matter (how much experience, title, etc). There are a lot of subjective factors that cannot be measured on paper (your attitude, motivation and self-initiative, etc) that affect your value to the team.
Say another nurse on my floor has exactly the same education and experience and title, but is lazy and is always bringing the team down with their bad attitude and doing sloppy work, should they get the same pay as someone who is a great team player and on top of their game?
Even "performance evaluations" can't quantify some of these factors, but they do matter.

If they’re lazy, sloppy and have a bad attitude- they shouldn’t be on the team. That’s a management issue, not a team issue.

Yeah, it’s “hard”.. that’s why managers are paid more than first-line staff. Managers taking shortcuts and “the easy way out” is the first step to creating a crappy work experience - do it for very long & you’ll empty your workplace of everyone who isn’t incompetent or desperate.

Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2019

On 9/30/2019 at 6:11 PM, Dawnkeibals said:
In general what is everyone's opinion on discussing salary with co workers? I understand that some people are "worth" more than others due to experience and education, however if people are performing the same duties daily there should not be a huge gap. I was just curious if this is something most of you guys talk about at work.

Really,?! First of all why do you want to know other peoples business,you do not know what expenses they have or the full scope of their experience.I find it rude to be asked such a question.

If your concern is salary gap then you can research stats to get a basic idea.

Family visitors have reported nurses for discussing salaries on the job,when you should be taking care of patients.

Problems on a unit were created when big mouths told the PAs what kind of paycheck they got.Talk about animosity.

Do a good job and mind your own business if you plan on staying long in any profession.

rzyzzy · Oct 28, 2019

1 hour ago, Leader25 said:
Really,?! First of all why do you want to know other peoples business,you do not know what expenses they have or the full scope of their experience.I find it rude to be asked such a question.
If your concern is salary gap then you can research stats to get a basic idea.
Family visitors have reported nurses for discussing salaries on the job,when you should be taking care of patients.
Problems on a unit were created when big mouths told the PAs what kind of paycheck they got.Talk about animosity.
Do a good job and mind your own business if you plan on staying long in any profession.

You’re advocating for a rigged game - employers know what competitors pay based on data from job applications - rank and file employees often don’t know unless a pay scale is posted, and many aren’t posted, so employers are free to lowball and play favorites.

Employees that find out they’re being underpaid (or overpaid) at least have the option of looking for greener pastures or asking for parity.. those are rational and desired outcomes in a “free market”. Anything else isn’t capitalism or a free market.

In any type of economic system, someone is going under a bus - if PA’s thought nurses were overpaid, they’re welcome to go to their choice of nursing schools - I’d suspect they would have plenty of credits to transfer.

rzyzzy · Oct 28, 2019

Don’t forget, the other side has been known to use dirty pool to suppress wages..

Collusion

1MoreCoffee, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 28, 2019

Go on glassdoor.com and look to see what your employer actually pays for your position (even if they post a different salary range in the job postings). Then post your own salary to help other people with the same question.

That being said, Americans are touchy about the subject of pay, but it only benefits the employer. Many people are also hesitant to ask for a higher rate than what is originally posted/offered. Don't be. Your starting salary affects all of your raises and bonuses going forward. Most employers will negotiate with you and if they won't, you are likely learning something that will encourage you to seek employment elsewhere. I have no problem discussing pay with coworkers, however there is so much drama in nursing that I would rather avoid that whole scene.

skittlebear · Oct 28, 2019

Discussing salaries between co-workers is always a no, no even if your the best of work buddies. It's unprofessional and can stir the pot, so to speak. Keep your salary to yourself.

I did work at a job where everyone knew what everyone made because raises were given across the company (rare) and your hourly rate was based on years of experience. For example, 0-3yrs=x amount and so on.

SansNom · Oct 28, 2019

2 hours ago, skittlebear said:
Discussing salaries between co-workers is always a no, no even if your the best of work buddies. It's unprofessional and can stir the pot, so to speak. Keep your salary to yourself.
I did work at a job where everyone knew what everyone made because raises were given across the company (rare) and your hourly rate was based on years of experience. For example, 0-3yrs=x amount and so on.

Are all of you with the flat no responses even reading the other replies of why it might actually be a good thing to discuss it?

Aside from the discomfort of potential conflict, and unless you are the one benefiting from the unequal pay, how is any employee benefiting from not discussing their pay?

Everyone's just saying "no, you're not supposed to do that" with no rationale as to why you're not supposed to do that except it's just always been that way, it's "unprofessional" (with no reasoning why), and it might be uncomfortable.

skittlebear · Oct 28, 2019

11 minutes ago, SansNom said:
Are all of you with the flat no responses even reading the other replies of why it might actually be a good thing to discuss it?
Aside from the discomfort of potential conflict, and unless you are the one benefiting from the unequal pay, how is any employee benefiting from not discussing their pay?
Everyone's just saying "no, you're not supposed to do that" with no rationale as to why you're not supposed to do that except it's just always been that way, it's "unprofessional" (with no reasoning why), and it might be uncomfortable.

Here's one link. https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/dangers-discussing-pay-coworkers

But, if you, yourself, want to discuss your salary to other co-workers than by all means go ahead. Just don't expect the same in return.

1MoreCoffee, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 28, 2019

3 hours ago, skittlebear said:
Discussing salaries between co-workers is always a no, no even if your the best of work buddies. It's unprofessional and can stir the pot, so to speak. Keep your salary to yourself.
I did work at a job where everyone knew what everyone made because raises were given across the company (rare) and your hourly rate was based on years of experience. For example, 0-3yrs=x amount and so on.

Speculating about the salaries of your co-workers in mixed company is unprofessional. Having a conversation about your mutual salaries with a co-worker is in no way unprofessional. As for 'stirring the pot', employers don't like it, because they may have to pay more. If your co-workers get their feelings hurt upon finding out they are unfairly paid, their issue should be with management, not with the person who makes more money.

1MoreCoffee, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 28, 2019

20 hours ago, Leader25 said:
Really,?! First of all why do you want to know other peoples business,you do not know what expenses they have or the full scope of their experience.I find it rude to be asked such a question.
If your concern is salary gap then you can research stats to get a basic idea.
Family visitors have reported nurses for discussing salaries on the job,when you should be taking care of patients.
Problems on a unit were created when big mouths told the PAs what kind of paycheck they got.Talk about animosity.
Do a good job and mind your own business if you plan on staying long in any profession.

Engaging in a conversation where both sides are willing to disclose their salary is not being 'nosy', it means you care enough about your career to be proactive.