Dear Mr. Corcodilos:

Keep Your Salary Under Wraps is an excellent article, and I only wish that others shared your common sense. I have always believed that salary history is confidential, and wonder why all of us feel compelled to discuss it openly. I refrain from disclosing salary history. Often, it bars me from some opportunities. However, I feel that my earnings are confidential, even without a non-disclosure agreement.

Here are a couple of examples that I feel are possible responses to "I need to know your past/present salary":

1. If an NBA player coming out of high school or college has no salary history, why does he receive a guaranteed multi-million dollar contract? Based upon salary history, he should play for the league minimum wage. Most high school or college graduates are paid entry-level salaries since they have no work experience or significant salary histories. The NBA player is paid the market rate based on supply and demand for his skills.

2. Have you ever gone to a restaurant, and when the time came for paying the bill, did the waiter or waitress ever ask, "I need to know what you paid for your last meal. Then we'll know what to charge you."?

Thank you for your excellent web site, and your book was very helpful.

Sincerely yours,

Steve Amoia
Washington, DC