The Sex-Ed Moment: Can I Reveal My Salary?

I was recently asked this question and remembered that most people "get it wrong". It's a classic "sex-ed moment". (A "sex-ed moment" is when you should not ask your ignorant friends a question because it is so commonly misunderstood, and you should, instead, ask an appropriate adult.)

Most readings of the laws surrounding such disclosures suggest that you have a right to reveal and discuss your compensation. (I am speaking here about the USA.) This relates back to various successes of the organized labor movement in the 20th century. Note, however, that MANY managers and even some companies may not be aware of these legal precedents and may not agree with this view.

On the other hand, should you reveal your wages? Here, I can share a story. Early in my career, I was working on a web site at a large tech company back when "webmaster" was a real job title. There were actually two web sites in the department. Mine was arguably the smaller and easier one to maintain. One day my colleague, who ran the larger web site, asked me what my pay was. Being young and naive, I assumed that since I had the easier job and less work experience, I must be paid far less.... but I was wrong, very wrong. Needless to say, the rest of the time I was working there was quite awkward. He was even more sour than before. And I learned my lesson.