I was chatting with my manager recently and the subject of toxic work/management culture came up. I told them I’ve mostly (not entirely but mostly) been satisfied with the treatment of employees over my several years working here. I then talked briefly about my disdain for general work culture in the US and the rampant employee abuse that takes place so commonly here. They then said something that set off my alarm bells.
They said that toxicity can also come from hourly employees in the form of discussion of wages and using such discussions to “manipulate” management in order to secure better pay. I did not like that one bit but I pretty much held my tongue for the time being. This also isn’t the first instance of such talk. In the past I’ve been asked not to disclose a raise I received to my coworker in the same dept. It wasn’t a demand or a threat but rather a request. (I told them anyway) I’m worried that in a department meeting I was not present for this may have come up again. I intend to ask my coworkers if it did come up and maybe give them some literature concerning their rights. I’d like it to be something simple and straightforward that they might actually read and take seriously. Some kind of pamphlet or handbook I could distribute would be great.
I’m also considering confronting management about this aspect of our “culture.” I’m not sure if it will become necessary but I’d like to be prepared if it does. For the record these are people I’ve worked with for some time and that I genuinely respect. I’m not looking to raise hell just yet. I’m just interested in voicing my concerns. Would this be a wise or should I keep it under my hat for now?