What People Earn - The West Michigan Version

Grand Rapids - About $50,000 a year. That was a common number we heard when asking people around Grand Rapids to tell us what their annual salary was.

[Edward James]

My question is why do people keep their salary a secret when really if you knew your co-workers pay you can have a bigger chip when your salary gets reviewed.

[BR Bean Counter]

Edward James wrote:

My question is why do people keep their salary a secret when really if you knew your co-workers pay you can have a bigger chip when your salary gets reviewed.

Ed, in a UAW shop or work for the Gov't thats easy, they use a pay scale. In other private sector jobs, pay is usually related to job performance, seniority, or whether you're a relative.

I was just wondering why the story didn't discuss the pay level of Peter Ross. Any comment Pete?

[alaska michigan]

Jim Hackett makes how much? you would think that after he leveled 65% of the work force and 70% of the product lines that used to be in Grand Rapids he would be making millions, wow is he under paid

[George]

None of your business.

[Grand Rap]

As a part-time bank teller, I make over 10 dollars an hour... that's about 9-11k/year. It's sad that it's that close to a full time Meijer sales clerk.

[Daniel G]

Good question Bean, I would LOVE to know what the talking heads make on all the TV news shows.
Me? I make 60K at the railroad switching cars around the yard here in GRR and I love it!

[tubejock]

Around $75K designing automotive parts..

[Beth]

I too would like to know what reporters, etc. make.

As for why some people don't share......it is against many company's policies to do so.....it could even be grounds for termination.

[money]

Why do people care what others make. I only care what me and my husband make. After all no one else is going to pay the bills. What is more shocking to me is that on those 50K a year salaries most of those people are in debt up to their eyeballs. They are so worried about what others have and that they need to look like they have just a much and they go into debt to do it. As for me and my hubby, 175K combined.

[Chuck]

It is most likely illegal for your employer to prevent employees from discussing their wages. Depending on the circumstances, it is illegal for private sector employers to have rules preventing employees from discussing their wages or working conditions for employees that are not managers, supervisors or professionals.

I will never understand why people feel the need to either prohibit folks from talking about their wages or that folks treat it like such a secret. I'm not going to walk up to you on the street and ask what you earn, but why can't folks discuss it openly. It may very well cause folks to open their eyes when they find out what others make.

Instead of complaining about what others make, or that it is too high and that those with high pay should make less - rather than trying to bring folks down, perhaps they should complain to get what those with the high pay have.

Insurance benefits come to mind. The never ending complaints about folks with no co-pays or "Cadillac" health care plans - that they should give those up or pay more. Why? Why demand to bring them down? Instead, how about demanding what they have?

[Lisa in Walker]

Private sector pay really is a private issue.

But as long as we are discussing other people's pay, I don't care what they make as long as they truly earned it.

I am trying to teach my son the value of a good day's work. If you don't do $10 worth of work, you shouldn't get paid the $10.

And shame on the prosecutor for not divulging his salary. Public employees don't have the privilege of keeping their pay private, since *I* pay their paycheck as a taxpayer.

[hello kitteh]

Chuck wrote:

It is most likely illegal for your employer to prevent employees from discussing their wages. Depending on the circumstances, it is illegal for private sector employers to have rules preventing employees from discussing their wages or working conditions for employees that are not managers, supervisors or professionals.
I will never understand why people feel the need to either prohibit folks from talking about their wages or that folks treat it like such a secret. I'm not going to walk up to you on the street and ask what you earn, but why can't folks discuss it openly. It may very well cause folks to open their eyes when they find out what others make.
Instead of complaining about what others make, or that it is too high and that those with high pay should make less - rather than trying to bring folks down, perhaps they should complain to get what those with the high pay have.
Insurance benefits come to mind. The never ending complaints about folks with no co-pays or "Cadillac" health care plans - that they should give those up or pay more. Why? Why demand to bring them down? Instead, how about demanding what they have?

People don't like talking about their salaries so that liberals like you won't find a way to get your hands on it. Plain and simple. You want more, earn it like we did.

[hello kitteh]

Chuck wrote:

It is most likely illegal for your employer to prevent employees from discussing their wages. Depending on the circumstances, it is illegal for private sector employers to have rules preventing employees from discussing their wages or working conditions for employees that are not managers, supervisors or professionals.
I will never understand why people feel the need to either prohibit folks from talking about their wages or that folks treat it like such a secret. I'm not going to walk up to you on the street and ask what you earn, but why can't folks discuss it openly. It may very well cause folks to open their eyes when they find out what others make.
Instead of complaining about what others make, or that it is too high and that those with high pay should make less - rather than trying to bring folks down, perhaps they should complain to get what those with the high pay have.
Insurance benefits come to mind. The never ending complaints about folks with no co-pays or "Cadillac" health care plans - that they should give those up or pay more. Why? Why demand to bring them down? Instead, how about demanding what they have?

People don't like talking about how much money they make so liberals like you won't find a way to get your hands on it. Want more, earn it like everyone else and stop standing around looking for handouts.

[hello kitteh]

wierd! sorry about the double post, it didn't work the first time.

[Liz]

I think it's great for the people who are on the list. With Michigans economy right now it's nice to know that some Michiganders will see some money coming back into their pockets.

[Craig]

Approximately 10 years after my mother died family members cleaning a closet in her mother's house found an insurance policy. My mother never knew about this policy she was 3 years old when it was taken out. When we contacted the insurance company we were in for a shock not only did the company escheated money to the state - the policy was still in force and had value. Two years later a rebate check was proven to be mine. I have also located and Aunt, Uncle and a cousin, and a friend which also had funds escheated to the state. I now check for escheated funds every few months.

[Lizabeth]

I think if someone is comfortable telling people what they make thats fine with me. I make 11.89 an hour and its not nearly enough for the amount of work I do but I'm sure most people agree that their jobs don't pay them enough either.

[welcome to GR]

I make zilch! Well, I am a full time mom so I have the honor of seeing my children everyday. To me that more than makes up for the money I gave up to stay home with them.

[outdoors lover]

welcome to GR wrote:

I make zilch! Well, I am a full time mom so I have the honor of seeing my children everyday. To me that more than makes up for the money I gave up to stay home with them.

excatly that is one thing you cannot put a price on. Although our kids are teenagers now I truly loved being home as much a possible with the kids. I cleaned houses & offices while they were in school & could work in the hours i wanted to work I didn't get a yearly bonus I got them everyday hugs & i love you mommy's.

[Lucy in Rockford]

I'm more interested in the responses that the segment on Missing Money will generate. It absolutely was a great windfall for us earlier this year!