Pay transparency does not exist in most workplaces. It seems that in some instances, talking about money in the workplace trumps modesty. According to a new survey, which found that 28 million American adults (11%) would rather run naked through the office in front of all of their colleagues then share their salary. Approximately 88 million more (34%) wouldn’t rule out the option! The remaining 152 million (55%) would prefer to reveal their pay. The survey was commissioned by HR solutions provider Trusaic, and conducted by YouGov, to discover Americans’ attitudes towards pay transparency.
The survey also found that more men than women, and more younger workers than older, would rather streak through the office than let their coworkers know their pay. Interestingly, however, workers 25 to 34 years old would rather share their pay than run naked through the office. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of this group would rather share their earnings with co-workers.
Norway is a nation that has among the highest pay transparency in the world. According to the survey, more than half of Americans (57%) would oppose the U.S. adopting Norway’s policy, where the government publishes income information online for anyone to access. In addition:
- Over a quarter (28%) would welcome such a system
- A total of 28% were either “strongly in favor” (13%) or “slightly in favor” (15%)
- A total of 57% were either “strongly against” (45%) or “slightly against” (12%)
- Younger respondents were over twice as likely as older ones to favor the U.S. copying Norway in this area
- Over a third (36%) of the 18-24 age group liked the idea, compared to one in six (17%) of those aged 55+
American adults have been conditioned to be secretive about salaries in the workplace. Without pay transparency many don’t know what their co-workers earn. According to the survey, only 14% of U.S. employees know what all their co-workers earn. Moreover, 32% say they don’t know what any of their co-workers earn. And 50% say they know what only a few or none of their co-workers earn.
That America’s workplaces aren’t transparent about pay it can be detrimental to pay equity. According to Trusaic, “greater pay transparency is shown to help reduce both gender and racial-ethnic pay gaps – an issue that is taking a white-hot spotlight this year. Across the U.S. and around the world, pay transparency requirements are coming into play for employers.” It may even help employees manage financial stress better knowing what their colleagues make, and knowing they aren’t alone in certain money struggles.
The poll sample comprised a representative cross-section of the U.S. adult population aged 18 and over.
