According to Fortune, a Kickresume survey of 1,850 employees worldwide found only 31% of people say salary is openly discussed at their workplace, while 37% have rules against pay discussions. But Gen Z is breaking the mold—nearly 40% of them openly discuss salary at work, almost double the rate of Gen X. Even when prohibited by employers, 18% of Gen Zers still talk about their paychecks. The generational divide is stark: 24% of Gen X feels awkward about pay discussions compared to just 15% of Gen Z. Since 2023, states like New York have implemented salary transparency laws requiring pay ranges in job postings, with at least six more states following suit this year alone.
Why transparency matters
Here’s the thing—this isn’t just about curiosity. For a generation crushed by student debt and insane living costs, salary transparency is basically survival. When companies don’t list pay ranges, Gen Z just won’t apply. And honestly, why should they? It’s a massive time-saver when you’re job hunting. Career coach Anna Papalia told Fortune that “salary transparency benefits everyone” and forces companies to make fair decisions. She’s not wrong—the only reason organizations wouldn’t want pay discussions is if they have something to hide.
The equality effect
So what happens when pay becomes transparent? According to a 2025 study from the American Economic Journal, four out of six papers found that pay transparency policies actually reduce the gender pay gap. But here’s the interesting part—it’s not necessarily that women’s pay rises. Instead, transparency tends to slow the growth of pay among men. Papalia notes that women and people of color have historically been paid less, and transparency is one of the best ways to break that cycle. Companies are scrambling to adapt as HR departments face new compliance challenges with these laws.
Generational shift
Look, this isn’t just about money—it’s about power dynamics. Gen X grew up in an era where discussing salary was considered rude or even risky. But Gen Z? They’re coming of age in a world where information wants to be free. They’ve seen what happened when previous generations stayed quiet about pay—stagnant wages, massive inequality, and companies getting away with paying people differently for the same work. Now they’re using transparency as a tool to level the playing field. And honestly, it’s working. When you can see what everyone makes, it’s harder for companies to justify unfair pay practices.
Where this is headed
I think we’re witnessing a fundamental shift in workplace culture. The taboo around salary discussions is crumbling, and companies that resist are going to find themselves at a serious disadvantage in attracting young talent. The transparency movement is gaining momentum with state laws, but it’s really being driven by workers themselves. Gen Z isn’t waiting for permission—they’re sharing information regardless of company policies. And honestly, good for them. This is how real change happens—not through top-down mandates, but through collective action and information sharing. The workplace will never be the same, and honestly? That’s probably for the best.
