To do or not to do: talking about your salary

In the Netherlands, it feels inappropriate to talk about money, except when something was really a bargain. Asking about the price of a house is not done; after all, you have the sneaky look on Funda for that. In entrepreneurial Netherlands, it is a goal in itself to ensure that you do not end up in the Quote500. And talking about the amount or the payslip? That is so banal. Or maybe not?

I still remember a colleague suggesting it in my first job: let's open up the salaries in the team, then we know who is getting too little and what can be gained. A body language expert would have feasted on all the signals and the lack of text. I myself slid a bit from the front row to the back, as I wasn't eager to throw around numbers. If I learned one thing from home, it is that everything is negotiable, so I knew I wasn't in a bad position. When it came down to it, no one shared it at all. Neat or just stupid?

On Evajinek.nl, Anne Abbenes from the Financial Psychology Institute shares her findings. She states that it is actually good to be transparent about money, as it can contribute to your financial and mental health. But, says organizational psychologist Kilian Wawoe, it can also be bad because you are constantly comparing yourself to colleagues. I know companies where everyone knows what each other earns. Every position has a corresponding valuation, and there is little to push and pull further. Do you perform well? Then you get a bonus at the end of the year. It's that simple. An exception proves the rule, as talking about money is actually only common among freelancers. They calmly look into each other's wallets to strengthen their own negotiating position.

Money goes from generation to generation, which means you often handle finances the same way as the person responsible for your upbringing. If it wasn't okay at home to talk about your salary, then the chance is high that you won't do it either. There is an even bigger taboo on money than on sex.

Talking about your salary can be useful for everyone, but especially for women. It is the only way to close the pay gap between men and women. Women in the same position often still earn 14.6 percent less than men. You often hear that we should negotiate better, but it turns out to have nothing to do with that. We simply earn less in the end.

And now? Just go ask that colleague? That can work, but it also helps to discuss with friends what they actually earn. In confidence, to get used to the idea of talking about money. It's never wrong to know what your work is worth.

Source: evajinek.nl