Lexi Larson, a TikToker and former employee for a Tech Company, took to the social media platform, TikTok, to talk about a pay increase that she received for moving jobs. Her compensation was increased by $20,000 - that’s pretty cool, why would you not want to share that? Well, her employer was going to give her a reason not to share her compensation.
Larson’s employers discovered her account and her video talking about her compensation. They then had a discussion about the content of her videos. After the discussion, Larson deleted the videos. Ultimately, this would change nothing as her employers terminated only two days after having a conversation about the content of her videos. "TikTok cost me my job"(1) a quote from Larson.
Employers suck, they hold so much power over you and oftentimes make arbitrary decisions to terminate your employment. More often than not, this arbitrary decision to end your employment is illegal!
First and foremost, you are protected under the law to disclose your wage. Period.
You are protected by federal law and California State Law.
What federal law protects me from disclosing my wage?
You have the right to discuss your wages with others under the National Labor Relations Act, commonly known as the NLRA. If you are an employee covered by the Act, you may discuss wages in face-to-face conversations and written messages. When using social media to discuss your compensation, your employer is allowed to have policies against using their equipment. However, policies that specifically prohibit the discussion of wages are unlawful. (2)
It’s also against the law for your employer to interrogate you about the conversation, threaten you for having it, or put you under surveillance for such conversations. This sounds familiar. Sounds like what Lexi’s employers put her through.
What California state law protects me from disclosing my wage?
You have the right to discuss your wage with others under the California Equal Pay Act. The California Equal Pay Act provides that an employer cannot prohibit workers from disclosing their wages, discussing the wages of others, or inquiring about others’ wages. (3)
What are the benefits of wage transparency?
Per various Executives of large corporations, there are a plethora of benefits to wage transparency such as: Creating a High Trust Organization, closing gaps in pay, increasing employee retention, and much more. (4)
Have you been terminated for discussing your pay?
If your employer has terminated you for discussing your pay, reach out to us now!
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