Etiquette Experts Advise on Handling Salary Questions
This article explores the evolving social norms surrounding salary discussions, highlighting a generational shift where younger workers, particularly Gen Z, increasingly favor pay transparency over traditional taboos. Citing a 2025 survey by KickResume, it notes that 39% of Gen Z employees openly discuss wages at work, compared to significantly lower rates among older generations. Etiquette experts Thomas Farley and Diane Gottsman provide guidance on navigating these conversations tactfully. Farley advises against asking out of mere curiosity or gossip, suggesting instead that individuals research market rates through crowdsourced data or job listings. If direct inquiry is necessary for negotiation purposes, he recommends asking for salary ranges rather than specific figures and respecting boundaries. Conversely, Gottsman emphasizes the right to decline answering, warning that sharing salary details with coworkers can carry professional risks, such as information reaching management. She suggests polite but firm responses to maintain privacy. The piece ultimately balances the growing trend toward transparency with the importance of personal comfort and professional discretion, offering practical scripts for both asking and refusing to share financial information in workplace and social settings.
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Etiquette Experts Advise on Handling Salary Questions
This article explores the evolving social norms surrounding salary discussions, highlighting a generational shift where younger workers, particularly Gen Z, increasingly favor pay transparency over traditional taboos. Citing a 2025 survey by KickResume, it notes that 39% of Gen Z employees openly discuss wages at work, compared to significantly lower rates among older generations. Etiquette experts Thomas Farley and Diane Gottsman provide guidance on navigating these conversations tactfully. Farley advises against asking out of mere curiosity or gossip, suggesting instead that individuals research market rates through crowdsourced data or job listings. If direct inquiry is necessary for negotiation purposes, he recommends asking for salary ranges rather than specific figures and respecting boundaries. Conversely, Gottsman emphasizes the right to decline answering, warning that sharing salary details with coworkers can carry professional risks, such as information reaching management. She suggests polite but firm responses to maintain privacy. The piece ultimately balances the growing trend toward transparency with the importance of personal comfort and professional discretion, offering practical scripts for both asking and refusing to share financial information in workplace and social settings.
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