Do you want to know how much your coworkers make?

[Ocean_Beach_Dweller]

The Psychology of Salaries: Do You Want to Know How Much Your Coworkers Make? | Wise Bread

Hi all,

I found this article and thought it was interesting because i've been dealing with this issue. Personally, I think in this economy it's best if people don't know what their coworkers make or who got a raise. I work in HR so I know what everyone makes and everyone in HR knows what everyone else in HR makes and I feel like this has caused quite a bit of tension in our department, especially since people are struggling in this economy. One of my coworkers is going out on a leave and when I take over her job i'll be getting a small bump in pay, but knowing how upset my other coworkers will get when they find out is actually making me so stressed out when I should be happy to have a little extra money.

I just needed to vent a little but I also wanted to see if anyone else had dealt with this type of situation or what your opinions were on knowing coworkers' salaries.

[jas]

I am sure people are curious about what others make as long as it is less than what they make. I am a sahm and wife so anyone who works outside of the home makes more than me. I think Parade magazine just had thier annual who makes what article. I will see if I can find a link

http://www.parade.com/export/sites/d...g-it-work.html

[porembam]

I was a teacher and everyone had the same steps of salary growth. It was tough when there was a lazy 25 year teacher because I knew exactly what they made ( alot more than me)
and I worked so much harder.
I think you have the hardest job knowing everyone's salary - besides the privacy part you are a human being and it's hard not to compare your salary to others.
When you take over the job - don't make a big fuss over it so as not to draw attention.
Go in to work knowing you are being paid for the work you do and your workload will be larger now - so a raise is expected and well deserved.
The others will just get used to it - like they have for every other salary they know
Good-luck!

[frugal is fun]

I'm secretary to the president of the company I work for so I do get to see those numbers.

Knowing has never caused me a problem however I tend to think that I have a more mature attitude about pay than most. And yes there are people who have made more than me who do a whole lot less.

We do have a union and there is much anamosity (sp?) between management and union. Management can work 50-60 hours a week and gets an annual salary where union makes a similar hourly wage however they get overtime, even double time depending. That has caused a tremendous amount of trouble over the years.

[scooby8themall]

I was next to the last person to be hired and twice a year we get raises so the other girls make way more then I do because they have been there longer then me and I'm okay with it as long as I get my raises lol, all 7 of us girls have the same work load and we are like family even though we are hundreds of miles apart.Have a question we call each other or we compare notes .It's a cool place to work.

[dcompton]

I work at a state hospital/med school, and a lot of the positions are specifically identified in the budget (perhaps the salaried ones, as opposed to the hourly workers?) We used to have a copy of the budget in the library. The budget is, as far as I know, a public record since we are employees of the state. I took a look at it one time. It was interesting. The others, being professional librarians, certainly make more than I do, but that's fine, because I would NOT want to have to do their jobs. But knowing other's salaries can be very contentious in a work place.

[fairydana]

I dont care what my coworkers are making. I know that I am getting paid well for what I am doing and that is good enough for me.

[Ocean_Beach_Dweller]

I wish all of you were my coworkers, you're very rational about this lol Many of you mentioned pay being set based on the number of years someone has been there and I think this is part of the problem. My company hasn't been able to afford any pay increases for the last 2 years. I'm the newest employee though(only been there a year) and here I am getting a pay raise(although it is because i am taking on extra duties) but I can see why they would be miffed by the situation. I'll just continue to work hard though and hope the animosity doesn't get too bad.