Super gung ho about being transparent about my wage with my coworkers, big believer in people sharing that info with each other so they know the games that are being played and everybody knows how hard they can negotiate.
Unfortunately after I did this with a trusted coworker who shared the same job title as me, we found out that I made a sizable sum more than him ($15,000) for the same work. Despite endless “Oh I know it isn’t your fault that’s just fucked up, I’m not mad at you I’m mad at them, I won’t tell anyone else, this is between you and me, etc”, within 48 hours all 5 of my colleagues knew and it was discovered that I made more than even those in higher positions, who had been there several years longer, and who were 10 years my senior were making less than me.
Despite everyone having a good relationship with me prior, a thick air of resentment towards me quickly developed, almost like they all had a conversation to team up against me. Eventually the situation deteriorated to the point that I decided to leave the job.
And now I’m conflicted with what to do in my next position. Obviously I still believe in labor acting as a team and being transparent with each other as it puts everyone in a better position, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to take a risk like that and trust my colleagues again.