Can You Be Fired For Discussing Your Salary?

Employees are usually cautious when discussing their salary at work. Many fear that they will be reprimanded for telling their co-workers what they make. Some even fear that they will be terminated. Can you be fired for discussing your salary with your co-workers? No, you cannot be fired for discussing your salary with other employees. In fact, an employee’s right to discuss wages is protected by law.

Federal Protection

Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), you have the right to discuss your salary with other employees. The discussions can be in person or a form of written communication. You cannot be disciplined, harassed, demoted, terminated, or otherwise discriminated against because you exercised this right. The law also states that your employer cannot create their own policies preventing employees from sharing wage information. These policies are unenforceable.

Non-Disclosure Agreements

Some employees may have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) at some point during their employment. An NDA is a contract that establishes a confidential relationship. For example, you may be working on something that your employer does not want leaked to a competitor. Wage and salary information cannot be included in an NDA and is not enforceable. Your employer cannot have you sign an NDA to keep you from discussing your salary.

Your Remedies

It is unlawful for your employer to punish or retaliate against you in any way for having a conversation about your salary. If you are demoted, harassed or even fired for discussing your salary, you may have a valid legal claim. Contact an employment attorney immediately to discuss your individual case.

Sum It Up

• Your employer cannot fire you for discussing your salary.
• Your employer cannot have any company policies preventing you from discussing your salary.
• If you were demoted or fired for discussing your salary, contact an employment attorney.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. It provides general information and is not intended and should not be construed as professional advice. The author is not your attorney, accountant, financial planner or any other professional and no professional-client relationship is created. We do not represent that the information provided is accurate or up-to-date as laws and regulations are always changing. If you have an issue that requires professional help, you should contact the appropriate professional to help you on your specific set of facts. Please read the Terms and Conditions for additional information.