As people rose in relative perceived status, they still were no more likely to reveal their salary information. We did see that even when the recipient had spent more time working together with the person who might reveal, it didn't affect how willing they were to open up. So, there's quite a lot of apprehension and rightfully so about what the impact of that information might be.
One of the primary reasons we work is to earn money, but many of us feel uncomfortable telling others how much we make. This fear may be working against women, because research has shown that salary transparency can help narrow the gender pay gap.
With the help of experts, we explore the complexities of talking about our salaries. First, an economist walks through the pros and cons of disclosing your pay. Then, the host of a personal finance podcast explains why she encourages people to speak openly about salaries. Finally, an HR executive gives advice on how to deal with the gut punch of learning that a peer makes more than you do.
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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.