The temptation is real. At some point you’ll look at a person at a similar level or role and think…. “Do they make more than me?”
Maybe you think about asking them. We’re friends right? And we’ve been through the shit together for years at this fucked up company. Shouldn’t we be able to talk about money, a major part of our job and our lives? What’s the harm?
NO. NO WAY. NEVER.
Since you may not believe me, let’s try it.
Example 1: I make more than you.
You: “How much do you make?”
Me: “Ten quadrillion dollars.”
You: “I only make 9…”
The absolute best case here is that you are only slightly upset and resentful (either at me or our corporate overlords – and likely both). It might motivate you or inspire you to negotiate a raise. But at what cost? There is going to be a strain in our relationship and even if you love your job, I can guarantee you don’t like it as much as you used to.
Example 2: You make more than me.
You: “How much do you make?”
Me: “Ten quadrillion dollars.”
You: “I make 11…”
Here you probably feel better about things. But wait! What am I going to do now? Will I start comparing my accomplishments against yours, and then make compensation demands using that reasoning? Is our friendship damaged, making me less likely to help you out or hang with you at lunch? Hell – maybe you should work more – after all, you earn more. Maybe I should be taking longer lunches since I get paid less. And I don’t like my job as much as I did yesterday, even though nothing really changed but a single data point. And YOU DID THIS TO ME.
So yeah. Don’t do it. People are weird about money and it fucks with their head and their pride. So don’t talk salary, bonuses, raises, stock options, anything. If it has to do with money, keep it to yourself.
This is a case where knowledge isn’t power. It’s pain. If you care about the people you work with, keep your money to yourself.