Can I be fired for discussing my salary with coworkers?

What the Law Says

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) makes it illegal for employers to fire or retaliate against employees for engaging in 'concerted activities' — including talking about pay — to improve working conditions.

Under Section 7 of the NLRA, most private-sector employees have the right to act together to address workplace concerns, such as wages, hours, and working conditions. This includes discussing salaries with coworkers — even if no union is involved.

Section 8(a)(1) of the NLRA explicitly prohibits employers from interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights. A policy that bans wage discussions — or firing someone for having them — violates this provision.

The law applies to most private-sector workers, but excludes supervisors, independent contractors, agricultural laborers, and government employees.

Statutory Text

Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection.

— 29 U.S.C. § 157 — Rights of employees

Statutory Text

It shall be an unfair labor practice for an employer— (1) to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in section 157 of this title.

— 29 U.S.C. § 158(a)(1) — Unfair labor practices

What to Do

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