I may add that every raise or bonus I've gotten has come with a warning not to tell anybody else, but that's because of intra-work competition and the boss not wanting to hear "Why didn't I get one, too?"

I get the same thing and always feel really uncomfortable, like it is this big secret and I think that's kinda shitty. I understand it from the employers perspective a little, but.... One of those 'in principle' things. I don't know if I signed any nondisclosure things way back when, so I keep my mouth shut. Mostly. I know I've discussed salaries with some of my friends who I also work with.

would we feel as comfortable reporting our salaries to each other? Nooooo.

Fuck nae. OTOH, salary (within the US) is much more influenced by location than sick leave is. I do know that the company's market median for my position is ~$15,000 more for San Francisco than it is for here. Not that I check our job listings, oh no.........

Yeah, it was funny to see everyone reporting their sick and vacation time - would we feel as comfortable reporting our salaries to each other? Nooooo.

No way I'd talk about my salary around here. No way, no how.

Hubs knows. Outside the HR/boss/gotta know folks, he's the only one.

I've got nothing to prove. But also not much to talk about. But don't believe the government "takes care of people", kay?

I don't have any real idea what my co-workers make, and haven't since one of my former co-workers left about 7 years ago. But I assume that the management types above me make considerably more, the office manager who has seniority on me makes a bit more, and everyone with equal or lower positions to mine and less seniority makes less.

If anyone at my company is lurking, please don't disillusion me should this prove incorrect.

I was raised not to ask how much money the family had

Yep. "Just enough that you don't have to worry."

I may add that every raise or bonus I've gotten has come with a warning not to tell anybody else, but that's because of intra-work competition and the boss not wanting to hear "Why didn't I get one, too?"

Not just the boss not wanting to hear about it -- I've known places where saying anything about your compensation to anyone in the company is an immediate firing offence; if you don't know what other people are making, you're much less likely to try to bargain collectively.

Yeah, it was funny to see everyone reporting their sick and vacation time - would we feel as comfortable reporting our salaries to each other? Nooooo.

My salary is public record, so I don't care. Like Sara, my family are mostly open about money, and I have to watch myself to not be too nosy with people about how much they make, or how much rent they pay, but I'm always curious.

Hell with the hours (okay, not exactly, because I am lazy and would not like working 60 hour weeks and above), but not having benefits? The mere thought scares the crap out of me. When I tripped and ripped up my ankle, I could have the surgery that fixed it because my husband's health insurance was good. If I were single and working 3 jobs at 30 hours a week, none of them providing benefits, and I had children to take care of? I can't imagine how people do it, and I admire those who can.

Sometimes when I asked for something expensive, my mother would tell me how many hours of her work it was. Usually kind of boggling.

Yup. It's February and I've already spent close to $2000 in medical expenses. Two eye-doctor visits a week, plus two X-rays and an MRI.