Taboo of not discussing what you earn could be self-defeating for Kiwi workers, says union

October 3, 2018

The need for pay parity outweighs the perceived taboo, says E tu's Annie Newman.

The workplace taboo of not discussing an individual's pay could be self-defeating for workers in New Zealand, according to E tū Union.

With the stigma behind discussing what you earn still prevalent across Kiwi work culture, the rigid approach to talking about pay is doing more harm than good, union representative Annie Newman told TVNZ 1's Breakfast today.

"Unless people know what each other is being paid, then they don't know if they're being paid fairly," Ms Newman said.

"That's a culture of secrecy that's created by the employer, because they - in affect - want to pay people what they like, and not be challenged because of those pay rates.

In addition to this, achieving pay transparency would go a long way to closing the gender pay gap, with women often seeming to earn less than their male colleagues in the same jobs.

"Workers who are low paid, are primarily women.

"Large parts of the New Zealand economy are where women are employed, in care work or other work that is traditionally seen as women's work.

"It's amongst low paid workers that you find that individualised, personalised rate of pay is something that is most damaging to them."

Ms Newman concluded by stating that pay parity would in fact be useful in the workplace, allowing for employees to judge their own efforts in relation to those around them.

"We have to see whole pay rates, and the value of job reflected in those pay rates.

"Then it's not about the personal value that you necessarily attach to yourself, but you know that you in relation to others are being treated in a way that's fair."

SHARE ME

More Stories