[qudat]

Ignoring the recruiter problem for a second, should I ever feel obligated to disclose salary information? I have had potential employers straight up ask me what my current salary is, should I just tell them I'm not going to answer that question?

[shady_trails]

Its an easy question to deflect.

- "I don't feel comfortable sharing that" - "I'm still looking at a couple different options and don't want to pigeon hole myself" - "What salary is being offered with this position?"

If they take issue with your non-response, its a (small) sign that you might headed towards a non-ideal working environment.

[tomjen3]

You should never feel obligated about anything when negotiating (afterwards, yes, keep your agreement it will help your in the long run and is the right thing). Your goal is to get the best possible deal for yourself.

[SandB0x]

Just tell them it's confidential.

[toomuchtodo]

Internally, sharing your salary with co-workers is federally protected speech. You could argue to a recruiter that your salary exposed publicly is sharing trade secrets.

[Teodolfo]

Not in Calfornia: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection...

Even federally arguing that current salary is a trade secret is a legal gray area.

[toomuchtodo]

Thank you for that citation! I'm in Illinois at the moment, but California is more relevant for an HN discussion.

[_ea1k]

Keepin mind that the actual protections here are relatively weak.

[toomuchtodo]

Are you saying you have no recourse if you're fired for sharing your salary information?

[weland]

You're generally not even allowed to discuss your salary with your colleagues after (if) you're hired by one of those potential employers.

If it's confidential after that, it should be confidential before, too.

[turk-]

Policies that prohibit discussion of Salary are illegal.

http://www.npr.org/2014/04/13/301989789/pay-secrecy-policies...

[dantillberg]

In the US, if your employer tells you that you are not allowed to discuss your salary with your colleagues, they are breaking federal law.

[antjanus]

You're right. Doesn't mean there is a general stigma against doing so, is generally frowned upon, and can put you into a position to be fired because of "something completely unrelated but yes, totally related"

[thenewwazoo]

I have to speak up on this:

Discussing your salary is always, ALWAYS legal.

ALWAYS.

It's also moral and ethical. It's the cornerstone of collective action. It is information that can NEVER hurt either you or your coworker, because someone is going to have to justify a salary in one direction or another as a result. Never, ever hesitate to share your salary information with anyone who wants to know.

Ashamed that it's too high? Work to get your coworkers raises. Ashamed that it's too low? Time to open negotiations, either with your current employer or another one.

[totalrobe]

Discussion of salaries between coworkers is a federally protected right.

[Raphmedia]

Only if you sign those rights away.

[fiveoak]

In general, it's in your best interest not to disclose it.