Younger workers aren’t keeping their salaries a secret anymore – and that’s a good thing

Kiersten Post isn’t afraid to talk about money. She chats with friends about buying a house and budgeting for vacations. She shares her personal finance goals with family members.

And much to her parents’ surprise, she even discloses her salary. Regularly.

Post, 29, estimates that she’s told more than 30 people how much money she makes since starting her career in 2014, most recently as a recruiter for a tech company in Tampa Bay, Fla. Many of the people she tells are her co-workers. More often than not, they share back, too.

“They were really shocked that I would have those conversations,” Post said, referring to her parents. “They didn’t think it was a kind thing to do. I always came back and said, ‘How else am I supposed to know that I’m being paid fairly if I don’t ask?’”

Post is among a growing share of younger workers to break those workplace taboos and discuss how much they’re earning with their networks. Nearly 42% of Generation Z workers (ages 18-25) and 40% of millennials (ages 26-41) have shared their salary information with a co-worker or other professional contact, compared with 31% of Gen Xers (ages 42-57) and 19% of baby boomers (ages 58-76), according to a nationwide Bankrate survey from March.

Experts attribute that openness to broader generational shifts regarding work and money.

Labor economists say younger workers might feel more comfortable being open from growing up with social media, and they’re more likely to forge closer friendships with their co-workers.

Still, experts say there’s a right time and place to bring up a salary conversation, and workers shouldn’t feel like the responsibility to achieve equal pay falls on them. Here’s what to know about bringing up your salary with a co-worker, including how to know when it’s time to walk away.

• Only discuss salaries with co-workers who feel comfortable, and do it outside of work

By law, employees can discuss their pay with co-workers, according to the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. Yet, some companies still find ways to fire employees for discussing pay by making them sign non-disclosure agreements, according to Katie Donovan, equal pay expert and founder of the consultancy firm Equal Pay Negotiations. Not to mention, some workers just might not feel comfortable.

Post has an approach that’s worked for her. When talking about money, she’ll often voluntarily disclose her salary first. “I can tell they’re curious and that they wanted to ask, so I’ll say, ‘By the way, this is how much I make right now,’” she said.

• Do outside research

But know that there are limitations to only talking with your co-workers. Perhaps you and your co-worker are earning comparative salaries, but your company is also paying less than the industry standard. That’s why it’s important to research what workers with similar experience make in your sector and region.

• Know when to negotiate and when to walk away

If you suspect that you’re underpaid, next comes the negotiation phase — and the job-hunt process. Approach both your current and potential employers at the negotiating table with clear ways that you brought value to your team and company.

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