Why is talking about money so taboo? Have you ever noticed that it is an unsaid rule that you are not allowed to talk about money to your parents, family, friends or fellow workers. You’re better off asking a woman her age, then what she makes in a year. Is this because people are ashamed of how much they do or don’t make in a given year. Or is it because once your friend knows that you make six figures, they will expect you to pick up the tab when you go out.
WOMEN’S WAGE IN THE TABOO EQUATION
The issue of wages has been a hot topic in the news in recent months. This is because women still don’t make the same as men. This is a much bigger problem than just with women. This creeps across the board. If people knew what each other made. It would be more transparent that women are being under paid. Think of like this, you and your brother/sister are sitting around talking about life and you tell them that you are making X amount of money per year. By sharing this you will be given an outside point of view about your job. This maybe good or bad, but if you are making well under what a position at your siblings company makes. This may put your job in perspective. Yes, the market is tough out there, but you can always be on the lookout for a better job.
BUSINESSES PART IN THE TABOO EQUATION
Then there is the second part of the Taboo Equation, the employer. Many businesses have policies concerning this because this is something that the big bosses are worried about. If you have two employees and one does more work than the other, but gets paid less. Then of course you are going to have people getting upset. One has to remember the typically employer base their raises on evaluations and the majority of these are passed on opinion. Yet if you walk into your bosses office and ask for a raise, because you know your co worker makes more. Not only will you not get the raise you will probably get in trouble and who’s ever name you used that gave you this information as well.
SOLVING THE TABOO EQUATION
The idea of talking with your mother about how much money you make in a year does scare a lot of people. Start small and talk with your significant other. Make sure you a least have an idea of what they make. Talk about potential raises or losses. Then move on to bigger ones, like friends. Each step will get easier after you have done it. Once you are able to speak about your wages, others will open after time. The biggest weapon against far wages and benefits, is communication!
