Talking about salary with your co-workers can be a tricky topic. On the one hand, you don’t want to make your coworkers feel uncomfortable, and on the other hand, you want to make sure you’re getting fair pay. So how do you go about discussing salary without causing any distress?
First and foremost, remember that salary is personal information and should not be shared with anyone. You should never ask a colleague how much they earn, and they should not ask you. This is a private matter and should be respected.
If you’re interested in learning more about salaries at your company, your first step should be to talk with your manager or HR representative. Companies typically have salary bands for each position, and you can find out what range you’re in and what the average salary is for that position.
If you think you’re being underpaid, you can also have a conversation with your manager about your salary and ask for a raise. Be sure to have a few facts and figures to back your case, such as accomplishments and awards.
When it comes to discussing salary with co-workers, the first and most important rule is to be respectful. Don’t make assumptions or pass judgement on someone’s compensation. It’s not your place to decide what someone deserves to be paid. Instead, be respectful of their personal decisions and focus on understanding the process. The next step is to assess your current situation.
Take some time to think about your own salary and compensation package. What are you making? Are you happy with it? Do you feel like it is fair and equitable? How does it compare to the salary and benefits of your colleagues? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you understand how your position stacks up and whether you may be entitled to a pay raise.
Once you’ve done your own personal assessment, it’s time to start talking to your co-workers about their salaries. Be sure to approach the conversation respectfully and in a non-confrontational manner. Ask open-ended questions that allow your co-workers to share as much or as little as they’d like. You could also offer to provide information about your own compensation to give them a better idea of what is fair and equitable.
Finally, if you’re feeling comfortable enough with your colleagues, you can talk to them about salary in a more informal way. Ask general questions such as “what type of salary range do you think is appropriate for this job?” or “what do you think is a fair salary for this position?” This can give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of salary.
