Antiwork

Not sure if this is an OK place to put this, but I'm not sure of a better one. I need to vent. So I just started a new job in a factory and today my manager came to me to ask if I had discussed my wages with other employees. I kinda just looked at him and he said I had better not. It was in the employee guidelines handbook, which I signed that I would follow and I would be subject to automatic termination if I or anyone is found doing so. I checked the employee handbook and their is nothing in it about discussing wages, and I checked the National Labor Relations Board website and called them and was told that it is most likely illegal (they can't offer a definitive answer without an investigation). Not really sure what to do. As far as I know there…

“If you work for a man, in heaven's name work for him, speak well of him, and stand by the institution he represents. Remember, an ounce of loyalty is worth a pound of cleverness. If you must growl, condemn, and eternally find fault – resign your position, and when you are outside, damn to your heart's content – but as long as you are part of the institution, do not condemn it. If you do, the first high wind that comes along will blow you away, and probably you will never know why. Elbert Hubbard”

Had 3 great (in my opinion) interviews with a potential employer, to which they almost immediately issued me an offer. That's great, but the compensation was definitely too low. Almost immediately had a chat with them about it and presented them with facts and arguments as to why this is subpar. I also reminded them what my desired range was, which I stated from the very beginning of our initial chat. Negotiation goes well as I have an answer to all their questions and can prove their offer is subpar, while getting them to stumble on some questions, admitting they're not sure how they got to the number they were offering me. I make a counter offer. They say they really want me on board and agree to get back to me by the end of the week with an “improved offer”. 3 weeks pass (not very professional already) and…