Can you be fired for telling someone your wage?
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Can you be fired for telling someone your wage?
I recently worked at a restaurant as a cook. I had a co-worker ask me how much I made and I
told them the amount. They then told me how much they made. Days later, my assistant
manager and I were talking and the topic of his pay came up after I was asking what I would make if I became a manager. He told me his wage and what I would make. Fast forward a week and I got called into the office to be notified that I was being released since some people were upset as to how much I made. My GM then said that I cannot share my wage as it is an
automatic termination. She then told me about a rumor she misheard about me. She proceeded to fire me over telling someone how much I make. Yet the co-worker and my assistant manager will not be getting in trouble even though they shared their wages. So was
this a legal action?
Asked on May 7, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Florida
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Most employment is what is called "at will". This means that an employer can fire an employee for the reason that you gave, or for any reason, or for no reason at all (with or without notice). This is true so long as the employee's treatment is not the result of legally actionable discrimination or the employer's action does not violate the terms of a union agreement, employment contract or company policy. Bottom line, most employers can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit or deems appropriate.
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