How Should I Respond When My Coworker Asks How Much I Make?

While some companies have adopted a totally transparent salary structure, talking about money in the office is still extremely uncomfortable for many people.

This week, leadership coach Lolly Daskal helps a reader come up with a graceful way to address the sensitive issue of salary with a prying coworker.

Hello,

A coworker asked me today, “How much do you make?” It was totally out of the blue, and I feel like it was really inappropriate, and simply not his business. I was caught off guard. I’ve always been told not to talk about money, especially my salary. How do I handle this in the future?

R E A D  M O R E


Lolly Daskal is one of the most sought-after executive leadership coaches in the world. Her extensive cross-cultural expertise spans 14 countries, six languages and hundreds of companies. As founder and CEO of Lead From Within, her proprietary leadership program is engineered to be a catalyst for leaders who want to enhance performance and make a meaningful difference in their companies, their lives, and the world.

Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.

  1. Anonymous

    02. Aug, 2017

    What to say when either a boss or co-worker asks you, ” How do you make it on your salary here?”
    I was shocked… and just looked at them!
    I finally said…”oh gosh, I just do. Why would anyone want to know that?”

    Do you have a better response. I felt invaded.

    Reply to this comment

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