Are you allowed to talk about salary in the workplace?

Hey! Last week was one of those “pinch me” moments: We attended the inaugural White House Creator Economy Conference! About 100 creators were invited to the White House to share our experiences and concerns to guide future policies on fair pay, AI, mental health, and more. 

A LOT went down—and James and I are spilling the beans in the first episode of our new podcast, Two Cents! Tune in here to learn how democracy smacked me in the face (literally!) 📺

Since 2022, I’ve asked hundreds of people to share their salaries to promote pay transparency. The most common reason why people decline? Because they’re unsure if they can openly discuss their pay. 

They wonder: Am I allowed? Will I get in trouble? Is there a chance my boss will get upset—or worse, could I lose my job? 

We’ve got your answers. James and I met with General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo from the National Labor Relations Board to clarify workers' legal protections when discussing their pay. Here’s what she had to say. 👇

Wait, what does the National Labor Relations Board do? 

First, some context: In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act into law to address growing labor unrest and demands for better worker protections. This law gives workers the right to act together to improve their wages and other working conditions. 

But to improve your wages, you must be able to share them. That’s why under the National Labor Relations Act, you can legally discuss your pay with your coworkers as well as labor organizations, the media, and the public. 

The National Labor Relations Board enforces this right and holds employers accountable if they unfairly retaliate against you for exercising it. 

Does the National Labor Relations Board cover all workers?

Unfortunately not. Here are the workers who are and aren’t protected by the National Labor Relations Board: 

Not sure whether you’re protected? Don’t worry—you can contact the National Labor Relations Board directly to find out.

What if my boss retaliates against me? 

If you’re one of the protected groups, you have the legal right to discuss your wages—or keep them private if you prefer not to share. 

If you do share your wages, there is a small chance you could face consequences. This is called retaliation, and it comes in many shapes—including withheld wages or tips, unfavorable schedule changes, or even getting fired. 

And if any of this has happened to you, just know your boss is in this Venn diagram:

Retaliation is illegal. You can report these actions to the National Labor Relations Board and they’ll step in to ensure your employer is held accountable (free of charge). 

So, how can I start the conversation with my coworkers? 

In our latest video, we share all the best practices you need to navigate these discussions legally and respectfully, empowering you to advocate for yourself—and get paid what you’re worth. Watch our explainer video below to learn more! 💪

While I love being a creator, it’s not without its challenges—such as finding affordable healthcare and securing credit lending. One of the things we learned at the White House is that the government is working to better support the self-employed (and that includes creators) by giving us a seat at the table. 🤝

To learn more about what goes into this job—including salaries and best practices—be sure to watch our interview with content creators!

• California 🤝 AI. California is joining forces with Nvidia to train 100,000 people in AI. The program will bring AI labs, certifications, and more to community colleges so students can build AI skills and unlock new career opportunities. 

• This six-figure job doesn’t require a degree. 🗞️ Data technicians keep America’s internet running smoothly—and they’re in demand. Job postings have spiked 18% since 2020 and have a median salary of $75,000. But seasoned pros earn well into the six figures! 

• Gen Z is turning down job offers. 🙅‍♀️ This year, students turned down 6% of full-time offers last minute for other positions—nearly double the rate from 2021, per Business Insider. Why? They’ve watched companies rescind offers days before the start date…and feel justified in doing the same. 

• Shawn Fain isn’t playing.🪧 UAW President Shawn Fain filed federal labor charges against former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for threatening striking workers. Reminder: Under the National Labor Relations Act, it is illegal to intimidate or fire workers for striking.

Thanks for being here! We can’t wait to hear what you think of our very first episode of Two Cents (here’s that link again to give it a listen!). Speaking of: Is there a specific topic you’d love to hear us cover? 🎙️