[charlesdm]

The people making a lot above average (because they negotiated well) generally don't want to share this publicly, because others will realise they are then being underpaid.

As an example: would you tell a colleague "on the same level" as you that you're making $300k, when he is making $50 or $100k? That's either 1) an excellent way to get fired, because now everyone wants $300k, or 2) an excellent way to piss off your colleagues. They will start looking for a new gig immediately.

[fnbr]

It is technically illegal to fire you for discussing this, at least in the US.

I know at Google there's supposedly a big internal salary sharing doc started by Erica Baker, and she wasn't fired for it (although her manager was supposedly quite unhappy).

[expertentipp]

> It is technically illegal to fire you for discussing this, at least in the US.

Funny, I know of American corporation which operates low cost center over here while paying 30-40% of American salaries and forbidding the employee from sharing its salary for 10 years (sic!) in the employment contract.

[alanmessy]

If in the US, it is illegal for them to have that in the employment contract and they could be sued for that. I'm not sure how it works if it's not operating in the US, but if it's a US company, might still apply. My company abides by all US laws because they're headquartered in US, but have offices worldwide.

According to this law: https://www.nlrb.gov/resources/national-labor-relations-act employees can talk about things that matter to them, salary being one of them. And the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) includes pay secrecy language in contracts as illegal, and even if you sign an NDA, it is still your right to talk about your salary.

The consequences for violation aren't usually very serious, so companies aren't too worried about violating the law, unfortunately. They usually have to provide back pay to the employee and/or offer the employee their job back (if they were fired). Obama signed an executive order that increased penalties for companies contracting with the government: they can lose their contract.

This law doesn't include contractors, ag workers, employees of federal, state, or local gvmt, or those employed by interstate rail and airline companies.

It does cover you if you aren't in a union.

Violations should be reported to the NLRB and they'll investigate it.

Source: https://www.npr.org/2014/04/13/301989789/pay-secrecy-policie... and https://www.govdocs.com/can-employees-discuss-pay-salaries/

[expertentipp]

So the American company operates over here low cost center and exploits all legal means for this location to remain low cost... but hey! enjoy your "salary disclosure freedom".

[theorique]

If "over here" is outside of the US, then it's in a different legal jurisdiction, and the laws are going to be different.

[noitsnot]

People come and go based on technicalities at this company all the time. It's really easy.

[charlesdm]

Technically, yes. But you might also technically be passed over for promotion, or getting a raise. :)

[briandear]

If your employment is at-will, they can fire you for no reason at all.

[noitsnot]

At-will states still have to abide by wrongful termination laws. They can't just do whatever they would like, even though that is the case some of the time.

[numo16]

> They will start looking for a new gig immediately

The response to this should be: "Good for them! They should look for somewhere that will pay them what they think they are worth."

I believe that is the whole point behind sharing salaries, to help level the playing field and help people who got low-balled on their offer to realize this.