The Brian Lehrer Show Sharing Salaries Among Colleagues
Aug 25, 2025
The discussion kicks off with the shockwave caused by Microsoft employees sharing salaries via an internal spreadsheet. Listeners share their own eye-opening experiences with pay transparency at work. The podcast explores the cultural taboos surrounding salary conversations and the legal rights employees have regarding wage discussions. It's a riveting dive into the ethics of salary disclosure and its impact on workplace dynamics.
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Internal Salary Lists Reveal Pay Range
- Microsoft employees circulated a self-submitted spreadsheet listing salaries, bonuses, and stock awards which revealed wide pay ranges.
- Seeing peers' total compensation can reframe how employees perceive role value and company pay structures.
Bonuses And Stock Skew Perceptions
- Top developers at Microsoft could reach total compensation far above market averages due to bonuses and stock awards.
- Executive pay skews totals dramatically, making median developer figures look different from headline top earners.
Know Legal Rights To Discuss Pay
- Under the National Labor Relations Act, employees have the right to discuss wages with coworkers and the public.
- Use that protection to share information if organizing or seeking mutual aid around pay issues.