What should you do if your wage comes up in a conversation with your colleagues?

Implement previously rehearsed emergency tactical diversion techniques. This is not a drill. This situation is live!

Go to the bathroom. “Sorry, I’m off. It’s washing night.” Wander off to order another drink. Pretend your mobile is ringing (on silent). Look at your phone and exclaim “Oh, my God! I’ve got to answer this text!” “Wow, is that the time (yawn)? I’ve got pilates at 6am.”

Hopefully, by the time you’ve come back, the conversation has moved elsewhere.

Secrecy only benefits the employer, some say. While that’s interesting, I disagree.

Call me old-fashioned, but when I was an employee, I didn’t want to know what my colleagues earned. And I was fiercely protective of anyone knowing what I earned. That’s because I concur with Aunt Kerrin (yonder, right). It’s no-one else’s business. Seriously.

You and your boss determine what you earn. The only other people who need to know are your accountant, your financial adviser and your mortgage broker/banker.

If earning more money was important to me (and it usually was), that could be achieved by doing a noticeably better job, upgrading my skills, taking on more responsibility … or considering other employment opportunities.

Nowadays, I’m an employer. But I have no idea what I earn! My books say one thing. My accountant, bless him, says another. Some months are good. Some months are, literally, negative. Annually? Take a guess.

Hard work is generally rewarded, but not always. If it would help to know what colleagues earn, ask away. Some people will tell you. But don’t get upset if emergency diversionary tactics get employed.

Bruce Brammall is the author of Debt Man Walking (www.debtman.com.au) and principal adviser with Castellan Financial Consulting.