**PREFACE: I am 100% onboard for discussing wages, this is not about whether or not to discuss, this is talking about WHEN it's discussed make sure we can do something about it**
When you are at a job and a wage discussion gets brought up, hard feelings happen. It's human nature and it cannot be avoided in some situations. Let me give an example… You have Employee A who has been with the company for a couple of years. Now you have someone new starting and you find out they are making more than you are. First thing you are going to ask is, why? Maybe they have more experience, maybe a better education and so on. But for argument's sake, let's say they are “equal” Well the first thing that's going to happen is Employee A is going to feel upset and angry someone is making more than them, not in a sense they are making more but upset they are making less. Now every time you have to work with this person, you know deep down that they are making more than you. You know they are still learning and adjusting, so why should they be making more than you. This scenario is using 2 people. Let's multiply this by a much larger number. And based on the topics/comments in this sub of “I'm quitting because ___ is making more than I have in X years!” this is something that needs to be discussed.
Now, based on this same logic (that I think many can relate to) Why are they mad at the other person? Why aren't they mad at the person that hired them? Or upper management? Or corporate? Or the CEO? I'll tell you why, because they know outside of quitting, there isn't a damn thing they can do. Ask for a larger raise? No, not in the budget, here's your 10 cents (if you are lucky.) In reviews ask why so and so is making more? “Why are you discussing wages?” then before you know it you are working for an employer in an at-will state and you are fired for unrelated reasons.
My point is, if you aren't going to be treated and fairly compensated, these business are not worth your loyalty. Don't let these corporations and management allow you to be paid less than what you are worth. Make sure you are discussing your wages, make sure you are being paid accordingly and make them understand their plan of keeping everything hush hush no longer works in their favor.
/end rant