It’s not uncommon for coworkers to avoid discussing wages. Unfortunately, this has contributed to some people unknowingly spending years in a workplace where they are paid less than their colleagues.
You may have heard of employees losing their jobs for discussing wages when their employers forbade such conversations. So, can you discuss your salary with a colleague?
Yes, you can
According to the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA or the Act), you have the right to communicate with your coworkers about your wages face to face, over the phone and in writing. Outside work, you can have such a discussion with labor organizations, worker centers, the media and the public.
What to know about pay discrimination
If you discover your employer is paying you less than other employees in the same job with similar skills and qualifications, you may be experiencing pay discrimination. This type of discrimination can be based on gender, age, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or pregnancy.
You should be concerned if you discover you and those with whom you share an identity attribute are being paid less.
What about when an employer provides reasonable accommodation?
If you need a reasonable accommodation, perhaps you are disabled or pregnant, your employer cannot lower your pay to cover the cost of the accommodation. You should be paid as you were before unless the accommodation results in a significant reduction of your duties. Your employer should justify the reduction in your workload, hence the adjustment in your pay.
Note that if an accommodation will cause your employer undue hardship, they may not be required to provide it or may ask you to pay for the portion of the accommodation that constitutes the undue hardship.
Pay discrimination is a serious matter that affects many employees. Obtain more information to know how to identify it and protect your rights.