Navigating corporate life isn't easy, especially when managers impose questionable rules on employees. A recent incident at a Planet Fitness in Kentucky highlighted how some managers misunderstand labor rights, particularly regarding salary discussions. Employees brilliantly confronted their manager after he attempted to forbid wage discussions—both at and outside the workplace.
Image Source: Joshua Potash | Reddit
Jer, the manager at this Kentucky Planet Fitness, put up a controversial notice that read, "Attention all subordinates. Effective immediately, conversing about wages (both on duty and off duty) is strictly forbidden.” He argued wage discussions involved "private information," further stating Kentucky is an at-will employment state, adding a stern warning: “If you are overheard speaking (OR LISTENING TO!!) a conversation in which wages are discussed, you will receive disciplinary action up to and including termination."
In a brilliant act of workplace defiance, employees responded by publicly posting their wages on the same company notice board. A follow-up sign directly addressing Jer humorously read, "Yo Jer-Bear. Seeing as you’re a manager in the great illustrious [world] of Planet Fitness gym franchises, it may behoove you to become familiar with the laws pertaining to it. Sprinkling legalese and word-salad across an 8.5×11 paper you printed does not a legal doc make.”
The posted notice listed hourly wages for 12 employees, clearly indicating it's illegal for employers to prohibit wage discussions, and included helpful legal links. It humorously concluded with, "$10.50 an hour Shelly," prompting social media to applaud her courage. One Twitter user wrote, “Ah good, looks like Jer got to the 'finding out' part thanks to Shelly."
Online users also mocked Jer’s demanding tone toward staff. One joked, "Me, the most beloved and effective manager in the history of Planet Fitness, upon arriving at work: 'Good morning subordinates!'"
Other commenters shared similar experiences, including a former Planet Fitness worker who recalled: "I once worked at a 'planet fitness' and made an offhand joke about starting a union. The manager told me PF was non-union and as a result, I couldn't talk about it. I took out a pocket notebook and wrote the time date what was said and a witness. They never bothered me again."
Another user recounted challenging their employer directly when told not to discuss wages: "I said, 'That’s illegal.' He asked me to speak up, so I did. 'You can’t tell us not to discuss our wages with each other.'" When the employer insisted it was company policy, the worker shot back: "The company can’t have a policy of something that’s illegal to the whole country. Like, you can’t say ‘Feel free to murder 1 passerby on the street, it’s ok, company policy.’"
According to employment attorney Donna Ballman, "Employers hate it when employees discuss salaries because it exposes discrimination and other unfair pay practices."
Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the National Labor Relations Board emphasizes employees’ rights to discuss pay freely with coworkers. It explicitly states employers cannot legally punish or retaliate against employees for wage discussions.
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