Hey, Vanessa! 35k a year! Not bad!

Megan? Woo, 70k, good going!

Bob, six figures, very impressive

And Charles! $6... dollars? You only make $6 a year?

Asking for a raise is mean...

STOP THIS RIGHT NOW ADAM! You can't discuss salaries openly like this!

Why not?

Because it's... illegal.

No. It definitely isn't.

The right to show your salary is protected by the National Labor Relations Act.

Employees have the right to engage in... urgh, man this comic is boring.

You get the idea.

And being public with your salary actually benefits you.

So, without further ado...

NO! I mean, even if it's legal, it makes me really uncomfortable.

Exactly. Americans have an enormous taboo against talking about money.

Most people would rather discuss about their sex lives than their salaries.

It's the only way I enjoy fingers during intercourse.

Aww, fascinating.

Say, how much money do you make?

(slap) HOW DARE YOU!

Oh god!

But all that taboo does, is take power away from the employee, and give it to the company.

But if people know how much money I make, they'll resent me!

I mean, they'll know that I'm filthy, stinky... middle class!

No they won't. They'll resent the company!

Look, here's what you think will happen if you share your salary.

I make 85k a year.

You dickhead.

You should make less money!

And here's what would actually happen.

I make 85k a year.

You dickhead. I should make more money.

Bosses like Benny love it when you keep your salary a secret.

Because it tilts paying negotiations in their favor.

It's a concept called information asymmetry.

If you don't know what the going rate is for your salary, it's easier for the company to rip you off.

I can only offer you $100 a day.

I Guess that's what everyone here makes.

And this perpetuates the pay gap.

For instance, African American women makes 64 cents for every dollar the average white guy makes.

I can only offer you $64 dollars a day.

I guess that's what everybody here makes.

The bottom line is, if you don't have all the information, you can get scammed, big time!

We can only offer you $6 dollars a year.

I guess that's what everyone here makes...?

ha

Buddy, how do you survive?

I live here...

Discussing your salary with your co-workers is your right as an employee.

When you let these guys stop you from doing it, you push your own wages down.

Which means you're spending more years of your life slaving away in a job that doesn't pay you what you're really worth.

You're right!

All of this is a waste of time.

Hahahaha you're saying all of these people are wasted, and it's not even 5 o'clock.

That's a joke.

Stop trying to lighten the mood with your fantastic boss humor.

This is all your fault.

My name is Shanan Monroe, and I make 30k a year.

My name is Becca Neeson, and I make 40k a year.

My name is Charles Wicked, I make $6 a year, and I demand a raise!

... please?

I want a raise too!

Revolution!

MORE MONEY! MORE MONEY!

Yes! Share your salaries with the world!

Negotiate! For better wages!

You can achieve informational symmetry!

For knowledge is power!

Stop right there.

Everybody loved me.

I WAS A GOOD BOSS.

And you destroyed everything Adam.

Now you pay.

Don't do it Benny. I bruise easily.