Comments on: How To Talk Salaries With Coworkers http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html personal finance blog with anecdotes, advice and commentary. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:35:16 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: MFJ http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html/comment-page-1#comment-92619 MFJ Mon, 07 May 2007 20:52:47 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html#comment-92619 I've found that dropping your salary somehow in a conversation with co-workers tends to break the tension and I've found that in many cases even if they are a little reluctant at first generally spill the beans without any pressure on your part. Granted again you can't just go do this with just anyone (good friends and/or the right scenario) will probably increase your chances. I'm not sure why salary is so taboo - as workers you can only gain by knowing what your co-workers make. Now don't be surprised to see someone go off the handle or get upset, but if you calm them down and have them use their newfound knowledge for good it can only help them. I'd personally rather have a friend ticked off that I made a bunch more than him then for him to be ignorantly going through life severely underpaid. I’ve found that dropping your salary somehow in a conversation with co-workers tends to break the tension and I’ve found that in many cases even if they are a little reluctant at first generally spill the beans without any pressure on your part. Granted again you can’t just go do this with just anyone (good friends and/or the right scenario) will probably increase your chances.

I’m not sure why salary is so taboo – as workers you can only gain by knowing what your co-workers make. Now don’t be surprised to see someone go off the handle or get upset, but if you calm them down and have them use their newfound knowledge for good it can only help them. I’d personally rather have a friend ticked off that I made a bunch more than him then for him to be ignorantly going through life severely underpaid.

]]> By: fivecentnickel.com http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html/comment-page-1#comment-92068 fivecentnickel.com Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:07:40 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html#comment-92068 <strong>Weekly Roundup - 04/27/06</strong> Here’s a quick look at some of the articles that caught my eye over the past week. JLP talks about when you should drop collision and comprehensive coverage. Jim talks about how to talk salaries with your co-workers. Flexo got a Nintendo Wii. A... Weekly Roundup – 04/27/06

Here’s a quick look at some of the articles that caught my eye over the past week.

JLP talks about when you should drop collision and comprehensive coverage.
Jim talks about how to talk salaries with your co-workers.
Flexo got a Nintendo Wii. A…

]]> By: Minimum Wage http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html/comment-page-1#comment-88028 Minimum Wage Tue, 24 Apr 2007 21:00:30 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html#comment-88028 Where I work we're all paid within a 20-cent range. Where I work we’re all paid within a 20-cent range.

]]> By: yorman http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html/comment-page-1#comment-85168 yorman Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:16:36 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html#comment-85168 I personally found http://www.salarybase.com to be another source of info (it's built around sharing salary info). Needless to say that in categories in which there aren't too many folks reporting, this is going to be weak I personally found http://www.salarybase.com to be another source of info (it’s built around sharing salary info). Needless to say that in categories in which there aren’t too many folks reporting, this is going to be weak

]]> By: plonkee http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html/comment-page-1#comment-84374 plonkee Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:49:44 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html#comment-84374 I hate it when someone is trying to trick me into divulging my salary details. The only person I work with whose salary I know (and he knows mine) is indeed someone who I hang out at the bar with and he isn't a useful comparator to me (he's a couple of rungs higher up the ladder). Interestingly he gets paid a lot more than I thought he did, its about half as much again as I make. Sure makes it easier to understand how he can afford to go on vacation at the drop of a hat. I hate it when someone is trying to trick me into divulging my salary details.

The only person I work with whose salary I know (and he knows mine) is indeed someone who I hang out at the bar with and he isn’t a useful comparator to me (he’s a couple of rungs higher up the ladder). Interestingly he gets paid a lot more than I thought he did, its about half as much again as I make. Sure makes it easier to understand how he can afford to go on vacation at the drop of a hat.

]]> By: Patrick http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html/comment-page-1#comment-84352 Patrick Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:17:05 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-talk-salaries-with-coworkers.html#comment-84352 I have found it is best to talk with co-workers outside of the workplace, and throw out pay bands that you believe most people of a certain rank/level fall into. Your co-workers will usually agree or disagree with a range, but not a specific number. Another great source is to talk to co-workers or friends who have recently left the company. They are usually all too happy to talk about what they were making and how much more they are going to make at their new position. :) Another good source is to find out what someone with similar duties make in the government sector. This is usually public information (there are payscales based on level), and can help you get a rough baseline for your salary. In most cases, you should make equal or slightly more in the private sector. Salary.com and payscale.com are two websites that can give you a decent idea, but they can also be limited because they generally have very narrow, or very specific parameters that might not meet your situation. I have found it is best to talk with co-workers outside of the workplace, and throw out pay bands that you believe most people of a certain rank/level fall into. Your co-workers will usually agree or disagree with a range, but not a specific number. Another great source is to talk to co-workers or friends who have recently left the company. They are usually all too happy to talk about what they were making and how much more they are going to make at their new position. :)

Another good source is to find out what someone with similar duties make in the government sector. This is usually public information (there are payscales based on level), and can help you get a rough baseline for your salary. In most cases, you should make equal or slightly more in the private sector.

Salary.com and payscale.com are two websites that can give you a decent idea, but they can also be limited because they generally have very narrow, or very specific parameters that might not meet your situation.

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