You Pick A Side: Is it OK to ask someone how much they earn?
Thursday, 9 July 2026
Stuff’s weekly series dives into the everyday topics that get people talking.
Each week, we’ll put up a simple question, make the case for both sides, and let you decide.
Vote in the poll, or have your say in the comments.
So … pick a side.
Yes, we should talk about salaries
For decades, discussing pay has been treated as almost taboo. But keeping salaries secret often benefits employers more than employees.
Knowing what colleagues and friends earn can help people negotiate fairer pay, expose discrimination and close gender and ethnicity pay gaps. If everyone stays quiet, it's harder to know whether you're being underpaid.
Money is also a normal part of life. We openly discuss house prices, mortgages and interest rates — so why should salaries be any different?
No, it's nobody else's business
A salary is personal. People have different financial situations, debts, inheritances and responsibilities, so comparing incomes rarely tells the full story.
Asking someone what they earn can make them feel awkward, judged or pressured to answer something they'd rather keep private.
Money can also change relationships. Friends on vastly different salaries may feel uncomfortable, while colleagues who discover large pay differences can become resentful.
Have your say in the comments and let us know if you have any topics you want discussed. If you’re using the Stuff app on iOS you’ll need to view Stuff.co.nz on a browser to view and post comments.
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