Breaking the Salary Taboo: Acerta Survey Reveals 60% of Employees Know What Their Colleagues Earn

A survey by HR office Acerta has revealed that six in ten employees know what their colleagues earn. This is a positive shift towards more open discussions about salaries, with companies promoting transparency in remuneration. In fact, a European directive from last year also promotes wage transparency to support equal pay for men and women. EU member states are required to implement this directive into national law by 2026.

Acerta reports that 60% of companies openly communicate about salaries, with 30% sharing this information across the entire company and 29% sharing it among colleagues with similar positions. However, in 42% of companies, employee pay packages are not yet openly discussed. The survey also found that 60% of employees openly discuss their pay with colleagues, although older employees tend to be more hesitant to do so.

The shift towards more open discussions about salaries is a positive step towards achieving fair pay and equality in the workplace. Embracing transparency can help create a more equitable environment for all employees, as it allows for better comparison of pay packages and helps prevent discrimination based on salary. Additionally, it can promote accountability and foster trust between employees and management, leading to a healthier workplace culture overall.