Boss goes on record claiming it's legal to fire employees for discussing their wages after two coworkers discover their pay is not the same, company lawyer and HR get involved: ‘It causes distress to the agency’

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Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Sep 3, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

Some bosses would do anything to get their employees to do whatever they want them to, even if it means they would bluntly lie.

Take the boss in the story below as an example. One employee randomly discovers they make less money than their coworker, even though their job is more demanding. This employee raises their concerns to their boss, who then calls in a meeting with the company lawyer and HR. In that meeting, they all claim that it's completely legal to fire employees for discussing their wages if it causes distress to the company. 

Which is usually a huge lie.

Luckily, this employee does not intend to sit still and let their boss or their lawyer convince them they did something wrong. They recorded the meeting and decided to look further into what truly is illegal when it comes to discussing wages…

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  • 01
    Stern boss talking to an employee
    via Peopleimages.com - YuriArcurs

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    My boss, her lawyer, and HR told me it’s “legal” to fire people for discussing their wages if it causes distress to the agency.

    I had a meeting today with my director, her lawyer, and two HR reps. In that meeting, my director said it's "legal" to fire employees who discuss their wages if:
    via Turbulent_Try6284
  • 03
    • It causes "distress" to the agency Or if the agency is part of a "bargaining unit"
    via Turbulent_Try6284
  • 04
    This doesn't sound right to me. From what I understand, the National Labor Relations Act protects employees' rights to discuss wages and
    via Turbulent_Try6284
  • 05
    working conditions, whether or not they're unionized. For context: I recently found out a coworker who does less than me makes more
    via Turbulent_Try6284
  • 06
    money. I didn't ask for this info—she told me even after I said I didn't want to know. When I raised concerns, my boss told me
    via Turbulent_Try6284
  • 07
    wage discussions are a "fireable offense" (which I think is illegal). Now I've got her and HR telling me it's perfectly fine
    via Turbulent_Try6284
  • 08
    to fire people for this if it "causes distress." I think they're b me. Am I right? ng
    via Turbulent_Try6284
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10548700928
    via Vlada Karpovich

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 10
    Organic_Body8703 Of course it's b. Just scare tactics so they can continue on with their wage compression ways. Federal Law is on your side, your boss is an idiot.
    via Organic_Body8703
  • 11
    So_Motarded They knew they were being recorded and they still said all that? Wild.
    via So_Motarded T
  • 12
    Turbulent_Try6284 OP i'm in a one-party consent state. as of this moment, they have no clue that I recorded and transcribed the meeting.
    via Turbulent_Try6284
  • 13
    swishkabobbin Nice of them to broadcast their intentions to violate the law though
    via swishkabobbin
  • 14
    kr4ckenm3fortune Yeah, but it better if it in writing. If it isn't, then it gonna be more of "them vs me" and the burden of proof is on you.
    via kr4ckenm3fortune
  • 15
    Turbulent_Try6284 OP oh, I have the initial text message from my supervisor and the audio recording of the meeting.
    via Turbulent_Try6284
  • 16
    Geno0wl they are already playing games with OP's job, he is just returning the favor
    via Geno0wl
  • 17
    Turbulent_Try6284 OP they setup a bunch of new hoops today, so now in order to do even the tiniest amount of work I need to lick boots first. so basically, I've spent the day applying to new jobs and prepping for a couple upcoming interviews.
    via Turbulent_Try6284
  • 18
    Ippus_21 It sounds like you need to file the DOL complaint and then talk to an employment lawyer who DOESN'T work for the enemy.
    via Ippus_21
  • 19
    So_Motarded You mentioned the NLRA so I'm assuming you're in the US? Are you also in a profession which is covered by the NLRA? If so, then yes this is bulls.
    via So_Motarded
  • 20
    Have they done anything actionable yet? Like disciplinary action, firings, demotions, etc? Ensure you document everything in writing (especially that meeting, if that was not already done).
    via So_Motarded
  • 21
    Turbulent_Try6284 OP After the initial text, I received I sent it to HR. Then they called this meeting for today, which I recorded. But no actions as of yet ...
    via Turbulent_Try6284

  • What would you have done in this situation? Would you have let your boss convince you that what you did was wrong, or would you have fought for your rights?

    Hopefully, even if your first instinct is the former, this story will inspire you to stand up for yourself in the workplace.

    Good luck!

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Tags

boss workplace-stories employee hr manager job lawyer tales-from-the-workplace coworkers wages reddit story ceo overworked-employees workplace paycheck Reddit company
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