North Carolina workers are often told not to talk about their wages. That's not legal.

[Jilly_in_VA]

Under federal law, keeping employees from discussing pay with coworkers is an unfair labor practice. Yet across North Carolina, workers, advocates, and labor experts say such “pay gag” infractions are widespread, with awareness of the law at a minimum.

Whether it’s a formal company policy or off-the-cuff words from a manager, a strict prohibition or a gentler ask, any communication that might reasonably stifle workers from sharing their salaries is, in the vast majority of situations, a violation of the National Labor Relations Act.

“It is not isolated to specific industries or even white-collar, blue-collar,” said Jeff Hirsch of the UNC School of Law. “One of the reasons it’s so prevalent despite the fact that it’s clearly illegal is that most people have no clue.”

Despite the law, many companies continue to maintain pay secrecy policies. A 2021 nationwide study by the Washington-based Institute for Women’s Policy Research found close to 50% of full-time employees reported having been dissuaded or prohibited from discussing pay at work.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2021/09/21/north-carolina-workers-discuss-wages-despite-workplace-rule/5796705001/
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I've been told this in the past, and I didn't even live in NC. How about you?

[kirkuchiyo]

1. At my previous job we were told in no uncertain terms

that we'd be fired if we discussed wages. But the owners were assholes so there's that. I didn't know about this however.

[NewHendoLib]

2. I worked in big Pharma in Philly, then in RTP in NC

All of the various companies that represented (due to mergers, I worked in 6 different companies, but in reality, one big company) stressed that discussing what we each earned was a major infraction. That was between 1984 and 2009.

[XanaDUer2]

3. When I worked at a hospital

in GA, we were told we'd be fired if we discussed our salaries

[jimfields33]

4. I think it's rude to ask about salary.

It’s nobody’s business. And it’s a losing answer. If you say, 30K, the person asking thinks what a fool. You should have asked for 35 like I did. Or you answer 40 and the person thinks it’s unfair you get that much. No winners!

[Casady1]

5. except you are wrong

Read the federal law.

[jimfields33]

6. I'm glad you told me to.

I did a Google search and you can discuss salary but only on your own time and not company time. That is big time fair.

[FBaggins]

8. Federal law does not address whether it's rude or not

Such conversations are essential when a group of workers is trying to negotiate with an employer. But jimfields33 is correct that the topic is considered rude by many people and is more likely to create hurt feelings and a less comfortable work environment.

Outside of those collective bargaining scenarios, it's almost always a bad idea. Legal or not.

[yonder]

7. Agree. Either asking or offering leads to problems, IMO. Always.

Doesn't matter if a company frowns on it or not, shit can get stirred up pretty quick if people know what everyone else is making.

Button them lips.