Is it legal if an employer is preventing its employees from discussing their variable compensation/bonus?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Is it legal if an employer is preventing its employees from discussing their variable compensation/bonus?

When it comes to annual bonus time, my employer reiterates that the contents of the bonus statement is confidential and it is a disciplinary matter to discuss it with other

colleagues. Surely this is just an attempt to reduce the flow of information and colleagues comparing each other’s remuneration and therefore reduce competition.

Asked on February 24, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Alaska

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 8 years ago | Contributor

Yes this is legal. That is unless this mandate violates the terms of an employment contract or union agreement, or if it in some way constitutes some form of actionable discrimination. In "at will" employment, a company can set the conditons of the workplace much as it sees fit. This includes placing a restriction on the discussion of company bonuses. If an employee cannot comply with this prohibition, they can either quit or disclose their bonus and risk suspension/termination.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption