Talking About Money at Work

Salary Snoops

Dear CC: I recently had an opportunity to take another job, but my current company countered. Now my office buddies are all asking me the “Did they give you a lot more money?” question (they did), and I just don’t know how to answer it.

Never, ever discuss salary with your work pals; somebody always leaves that conversation unhappy. Of course, they know something happened to keep you there. When they ask, resist the Cheshire Cat smile that screams “20 percent bump.” Instead, CC recommends the self-deprecating eye roll and a simple, “Hey, now I can pay off my credit card.”