We here at Schaefer Halleen receive calls from employees wondering if they have the right to discuss their compensation with their co-workers. We’re happy we provide these employees a clear answer: Minnesota’s wage disclosure protection law gives employees the right to share information about their compensation with other people. No employer can prohibit their employees from disclosing the amount of their wages or discussing the wages of others that have been voluntarily provided.
State Laws Allowing for Salary Disclosure
Specifically, Minnesota employment law includes a Wage Disclosure Protection law that makes clear that (1) employers may not prevent employees from telling others about their wages/salary/compensation; (2) employers may not ask employees to sign away their right to disclose their wages; and (3) employers may not retaliate against employees for disclosing their wages. Moreover, employers must provide a notice to employees about this law in the company’s employee handbook.
Minnesota’s Wage Disclosure Protection law is part of the Women Economic Security Act, which is a comprehensive employee protection law designed to strengthen workplace protections for women and reduce the gender pay gap. To be sure though, wage disclosure protection applies to all employees, not just women.
National Labor Relations Act Protects Workers
Importantly, employees in other states have similar protections. Federal law gives employees the right to act together to try to improve their pay. Under the National Labor Relations Act, discussing salary at work is protected regardless of whether such discussions happen at work or through social media. Several recent cases demonstrate how the National Labor Relations Board enforces these protections throughout the country.
If you believe your employer is prohibiting you from sharing information about your compensation, we would be happy to discuss your rights with you. Please give us a call or send us a message through our website.