Redditor Calls Out HR When They Told Him It Was Illegal For Employees To Discuss Wages

Whenever the topic of salaries comes up, people become wary and give vague answers like, “Enough to pay the bills” or “Around minimum wage.” This leaves a lot of room for assumptions and may leave others curious about whether there’s something wrong with knowing someone’s pay.

There isn’t, or there shouldn’t be. Discussing salaries, especially with your coworkers, should be part of a healthy work environment. Not only should it be encouraged, but it’s also legal for employees to discreetly converse about topics such as this.

This promotes transparency regarding whether you are being paid what you’re worth. Imagine working for hours each week, only to find out that a coworker doing the same job is earning more than you, simply because management prefers that.

Of course, there’s a way to approach this topic. It’s not something you would typically discuss during a trip to the water cooler with your best work friend.

Nevertheless, if management stops you and tells you it’s illegal, as they did with this Redditor who posted, then you should know your rights. In a subreddit post, OP was doing exactly what he knew was within his rights.

During one of his shifts, HR seemingly went out of her way to pull OP aside and inform him that he was being 'investigated' for allegedly talking about wages with the employees under him. He was then told that it was illegal, and that’s when OP stood his ground.

Here's how OP stood his ground against the HR employee and manager

cocteaubeauty

It was confusing for OP to see HR during a busy shift, knowing she lived far away. The manager called him to speak to her since he was told that he was being investigated for discussing wages with other employees.

cocteaubeauty

OP called them out on the legality of their accusations

cocteaubeauty

They tried to play it off as not knowing, to which OP further pointed out their rights.

cocteaubeauty

When OP left, he asked her about the specific company policy regarding discussing topics, and he was called to the office.

cocteaubeauty

Then HR told him that there wasn't actually a policy like that after she 'checked.'

cocteaubeauty

OP pushed for a formal agreement to protect himself in case they tried to pull something against him.

cocteaubeauty

His request was granted, and OP encouraged people to know when to stand up for themselves.

cocteaubeauty

There are two possible reasons why they acted as they did, and neither is acceptable.

0w1

This is why it's important to keep learning about your rights even before you get a job.

0w1

They might sometimes prey on those they think aren't knowledgeable about their rights.

Rackminster

There is no proper screening of specific competency in this case, and they could easily manipulate employees.

af_cheddarhead

But if someone actually knows their rights and they attempt that plan, it would backfire greatly.

Anonality5447

A Redditor explained how they were the kind of person another user was describing.

Tje199

They would always be the first one to stand up and voice their concerns if something felt wrong.

Tje199

end of comment

Tje199

This OP was starting to learn more about management when their shift leader did something wrong.

infectiousoma

This escalated into a more complicated situation.

infectiousoma

Eventually, the shift leader was the one who got fired.

infectiousoma

There should always be rules in place if a company requires you to...

hannaner

attend a mandatory company event...

hannaner

but the higher-ups insist that employees wouldn't be paid to attend.

hannaner

It's more than just your salary; it can affect the overall work experience of employees.

sighthoundman

This OP had an experience like this...

pollodustino

and ended up working somewhere else that benefited them more.

pollodustino

A Redditor who was a manager explained their strategy...

Entire_Assistant_305

and it seemed to work better than threatening employees with false rules.

Entire_Assistant_305

They're calling HR's bluff.

butteryrum

or her cover-up story of being caught.

butteryrum

From an HR perspective, there are many people who take advantage of the system; this is why it's better to discuss wages.

whyyoudidit

They're going to need it.

Semi-Pros-and-Cons

If you don't try to learn your rights in your work environment, many will take advantage of you for their gains. However, if you are knowledgeable and know when to stand up against them, it will not only be beneficial for you but also for your coworkers whom you choose to help.

OP was an unexpected employee that HR chose to try to fool. It's a good thing that OP was the catalyst for them to think twice before using false rules to establish what they wanted.