Background:
I started working at a restaurant and was told I can wait until my first paycheck to buy a pair of non-slips (first place I have worked at that didn't give a voucher for required PPE footwear).
Paycheck hit Monday, in which I worked the morning and didn't find time to get them that night. So I figured hey, I'll get em tomorrow after work. Well, as I walk in Tuesday morning, my GM snaps at me about how I don't have non-slips yet, and that if I don't get them by the time the schedule is made, I'll be taken off the schedule completely. I do not respond well to over-stepping authority, and I certainly will not tolerate any kind of harassment/him trying to strong-arm me into compliance. So I nodded, stepped out and worked my shift, smoldering the entire time.
Now to the good part:
The next morning when I come in, I start recording audio on my phone. I speak to my Kitchen Manager, and explain to him that I will get shoes, but that I do not appreciate my livelihood being threatened by the GM, and if anything like that happens again I will walk. The conversation meanders, but the 'gotcha!' moment happens when he brings up how he knows I am dissatisfied with my wage. He says he knows I have been discussing it with other employees, and that “at the end of the day, you accepted the job.” I explained “That's true, but I don't have to happy about the wage. And that also doesn't mean I can't talk to my co-workers about it, which is our right. And I have been told by others that GM doesn't like that.”
Immediately after, Kitchen Manager says “Well, it may be alright everywhere else, but I don't allow it in my kitchen.” I asked him to confirm; “You don't allow what?” He doubled down, “Talking about wages.”
I couldn't help but chuckle a bit, and be taken aback by how misinformed someone in a management position could be, and that he also just so blatantly admitted that on a recording.
I responded “Umm, that is actually illegal. You can't do that.” He replied: “Okay, well, I don't want anybody talking about their wages.” Once more, I insisted he can't legally do that, after which I held up my phone and said, “I think the Labor Board would be very interested in hearing that.”
Comically, his response was “Fantastic.” He then told me to take the rest of the day off (which I feel could be considered retaliation, but I don't know. That's a day of missed wages because he didn't like that I have proof he was breaking the law).
TLDR; In a personal conversation, I recorded my manager saying and reiterating twice that he doesn't allow his employees to discuss wages.
So far I am not terminated. I called the NLRB and the agent told me I don't exactly have a case until I experience some form of retaliation, but I am not entirely convinced I don't have a case at this moment. Should I consult a lawyer? The recording is quite damning.
Legal article regarding recording private conversations in MI