Nevertheless, knowing how much your co-workers are earning can be a valuable piece of information. You may be planning to negotiate for a raise with your boss, and you need the leverage of knowing what those at your experience level are making. Or perhaps you’re concerned that you’re being discriminated against.
Sometimes there’s a reason why the person at the next desk over from you is earning more. It could have to do with job performance, a stronger skill set or how long they’ve been on the job. But if someone has similar credentials and is doing the same job as you but is getting paid considerably more, it’s not unreasonable to question the disparity.
Regardless, whether you’re addressing pay equity issues or you’re simply planning to ask your boss for an annual pay increase, knowing how much your co-workers earn can be incredibly useful.
Here are eight ways to find out what your colleagues are earning, along with advice on what you should do if you discover that someone with the same job and level of experience is getting paid more.