One of the most common taboo topics in the workplace is your salary. After all, discussing how much you make can be uncomfortable for many.
Unlike in the US, the Philippines does not really have a law that prohibits employees from discussing salary with coworkers. Some companies, however, will often include a non-disclosure clause in work contracts to prevent this very thing.
However, this is mostly applicable to a traditional office job.
What about people with online jobs?
Remote contractors are not necessarily bound by traditional rules. For one, they get to set their own rates for the work they do.
This then begs the question, is it appropriate to discuss how much you make with other remote workers?
Salary Discussions
If you are new to the world of remote work, chances are you might find yourself confused about how to set your rates.
Even a quick scan of various forums will yield different answers because of varying experiences, niches, and opinions.
To start you off in the right direction, we have created a guide on how to set your rates.
But again, bear in mind that your wages as a remote contractor can and will depend on multiple factors.
The Pros and Cons
The question still remains. Is it appropriate to be discussing salary at work, even when working remotely?
For one thing, it lifts the veil of “secrecy” over remote jobs.
Not that the industry should be gatekept, but ever since the pandemic, people have been looking for more work-from-home opportunities.
Thus, these salary discussions allow people to have an idea of how much they should be charging for their services.
Further, it enables transparency, so that people will now know if they’re being low-balled and can thus veer away from such offers.
Second, talking about wages (even informally) can help advocate pay equity.
Case in point, women in the Philippines are getting more opportunities in the workplace, but a gender pay gap still exists.
We’ve still got a long way to go when it comes to closing the disparity, despite the presence of digital jobs. Still, women can have more control over their earnings in this field compared to a traditional office job.
After all, remote workers can raise their rates to cover inflation and other expenses while an office worker will mostly rely on appraisals for a possible salary increase—which is not often guaranteed.
Still, tread lightly.
Many companies keep their compensation packages under wraps since employee wages will ultimately differ due to a wide range of experiences and skills.
Think about it, not everyone will be performing the same job in one organization.
Some positions in a company will require in-depth knowledge that can only be honed after years of working.
It wouldn’t be fair for a senior employee to get the same salary as an entry-level worker, for instance.
Thus, discussing salary at work can be problematic since it can cause hurt feelings or jealousy.
This may be often the case for those who have, more or less, the same job description.
Before arranging a talk with your employer, however, try to find out more about the situation to get a clearer picture.
Does your coworker have more certifications relevant to the job? Or perhaps, they have more experience in a certain area?
Once you have the details, look up the salary range for your position across the industry.
How to Discuss Salaries the Right Way
To lessen the awkwardness, here are a few tips on how to breach the subject of wages.
Start the change
In the Philippines, many people will brush off questions about salary.
This is because a toxic part of Filipino culture equates your worth with how much you earn.
It’s sad, but if you want to be a part of the change, then baby steps towards talking about wages with others are a good place to start.
Establish Trust
Before bringing up the topic, there has to be solid trust between you and your coworker.
First, let them know why you want to talk about it. Be honest about your intentions. For instance, are you seeking a salary increase? Are you in need of some basis to present a stronger case?
Or you simply move towards a more transparent culture at work. That’s as good a reason as any.
Beware of the Company Rules
Some companies may have non-disclosure agreements in place to prevent any sort of salary discussions between employees.
Always check the fine print before signing a contract. Or review your existing one before you initiate a conversation.
Know Your Worth
In the end, it’s always important to know your worth.
This’ll come in handy when you are negotiating with a recruiter. You might even set a good precedent for a fellow remote worker once it’s their turn to discuss their salary with an employer.
And remember, when in doubt, it’s okay to ask questions.
You’d be surprised how willing people are to help you out.
On that note, if you wish to avoid the responsibility of finding and negotiating with clients, then you might want to try signing up for a staffing agency. Remote Staff, for instance, has a regularly updated job board with transparent information about wages.
So, if you want a worry-free remote work experience, register with us today!
