Comments on: HR Was Reckless with My Salary Information

By: Allison

Allison — Mon, 29 May 2017 15:40:20 +0000

In reply to Anon 10. Yes this. It is the letter-writer's responsibility to manage her own reaction to this happening - but she also has the right to push for changes that would make her more comfortable, and while HR may not owe her an apology it is unreasonable that they just refuse to examine the situation for how they could prevent upset employees in the future.

By: Anon 10

Anon 10 — Thu, 25 May 2017 18:03:43 +0000

I disagree a bit on this. Personally I would not have had such a cow for all the reasons cited. However, the author is entitled to an opinion on how her personal info is shared and she is entitled to have that opinion received respectfully and honored. What I would be upset about if I were the writer is that the HR department didn’t say “I hear your concern and while we have no history of people opening each others’ mail, it’s a good reminder that we should treat personal data properly and I will seal these envelopes in the future”. BTW, I have been in HR for a career and I would never leave something like that unsealed on somebody’s chair.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Thu, 18 May 2017 17:15:23 +0000

You always have good in practical advice and stories. Thank you for your bluntness and reality checks.

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 18 May 2017 15:37:49 +0000

I just appreciate the way EHRL talks people off the ceiling and I hope the writer takes her advice, because it’s dead on. I work in HR and anyone in my organization that advances to the next step has to prove he/she can handle serious issues with a problem solving approach. if someone called my office that upset and ready to sue over something like this, I would have to conclude that this person simply did not have the disposition it would take to advance anywhere where they would have to handle a real problem.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 17 May 2017 21:44:39 +0000

In one of my HR jobs, I often sent information of a similar nature in interoffice envelopes to get the appropriate signatures for the file. In five years, I never had a single problem for all of the reasons Suzanne explained.

By: Mr Cynical

Mr Cynical — Wed, 17 May 2017 21:39:42 +0000

In reply to Evil HR Lady.

I’m getting pretty blase about salary. Ought to just be more like Norway where tax returns are public record, so “there is more honesty about salaries… Job adverts are much more likely to specify the salary on offer, rather than coyly using phrases such as ‘competitive salary package’.”

https://www.theguardian.com/money/blog/2016/apr/11/when-it-comes-to-tax-transparency-norway-leads-the-field

By: Evil HR Lady

Evil HR Lady — Wed, 17 May 2017 20:18:28 +0000

In reply to Maria Rose. You can give me all your peanut butter M&Ms.

By: Evil HR Lady

Evil HR Lady — Wed, 17 May 2017 20:16:54 +0000

In reply to grannybunny. Yes, this. Salary secrecy does benefit the employer. That's why they continue to foster a culture of secrecy around it.

By: Maria Rose

Maria Rose — Wed, 17 May 2017 20:14:16 +0000

The only reason, I can see someone getting upset about this , would be if that salary increase was more than normal amount, for that specific job.
Like most of the comments noted, most jobs salary are public knowledge within a certain money amount.
I did like the comments about taking a deep breath and have some ice cream. I would skip the peanut butter M&M’s

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 17 May 2017 15:40:02 +0000

Another government employee with a publicly posted salary here. If anything, knowing what everyone else in my organization makes is insightful. It keeps salaries competitive and fair. It’s also revealed some scandals and discriminatory decision and empowered those adversely affected to take action.

So, yea, let it go!! If you’re worth your pay, you have nothing to hide.