More openness about what we earn could lead to greater equality of pay
There is a great deal of crossness this morning at Harriet Harman's equality legislation and the idea that employers might give preferential treatment to female or ethnic minority job applicants - the Daily Mail is so angry it's a wonder the paper doesn't actually combust into a smouldering pile of fury as you read it.
There's so much tetchiness over the possibility of positive discrimination that the other half of the story - that public sector firms, and private firms with public-sector contracts, are going to have to reveal the salary gap between male and female employees - is in danger of being overlooked.
Which is a shame, because British workers could do with a bit of focus when it comes to discussing pay. Put bluntly: we don't do it. It's considered a bit crass.
Do you know what the people sitting either side of you earn? You'll be in a minority if you do - it's not considered good office form to demand others share the figures on their pay slip.
In fact, according to a report in the FT this morning, one in four employers prevent staff from discussing pay with gagging clauses. Not, given our general reticence on the matter, that you'd think they'd need them.
But really, why shouldn't we ask? Your employer won't be keen of course - but isn't that exactly the point? It might be in their interest for you to all shut up and hope blindly that you're being paid the right amount for the job. But it's no good at all for the employees. Which would be most of us, of course.
So go on, ask the question. Find out how much your employer thinks you're worth in relation to your employees. It might be motivating, totally dispiriting, or enough to make you go and work elsewhere. Others will say those are exactly the reasons for not doing it - but actually, wouldn't you rather know than just blindly slaving away?
