Can an employer fire you for discussing your salary with another employee?

When I first started at my job, I accidentally left my pay stubs on my desk, which is out in the open. I was repremanded harshly for this, but never understood why.

Last night, someone tried to break into our main office to get information on how much a new welder is making. I asked why this was such a big deal, and why couldn't they just ask that person, and my boss informed me that they fired anyone who told anyone else how much they made.

Is that legal? Can a place of employment really fire you for discussing your income with another employee? Why?

Thanks in advance.

I think something like that would only be legal if they listed it specifically in the employee handbook as an infraction. Employers don't want employees coming up to them and demanding they make x amount of dollars because so and so does. It is considered bad etiquette to discuss your salary with your co-workers so be careful because some bosses will make your life a living hell for it! They probably only told you someone got fired just to deter you from leaving your stubs around or talking about money with co-workers

Check your employment agreement / company policy and procedures. If it says they can fire you for discussing salary, they can. Employers like this system because they don't have people coming up to them saying "X makes this, I want this much money too" Employees who have less information on what the general salary is can't negotiate as well and may settle for a lower salary.
I never heard of these extreme measures though... is your company facing a discrimination lawsuit? Or is someone trying to set up a union?

Is there a stated policy at your place of work? Most places have them because divulging rates of pay can breed discontent in workers but firing is extreme. Still, I worked at a local Casino where there was a line that if you stepped past it into the hotel, you were fired....they can do that because it's a stated policy.

Typically, pay is supposed to be a private matter between employee and employer.

If they have a company handbook that describes the rules, and discussing pay is against those rules, then yes I believe they're legally able to reprimand you for it, up to and including ending employment.

In many states, you can be fired for any (or no) reason as long as it isn't for race, religion, etc. However, unless they have document write-ups, etc., you can file for unemployment and probably win.

So, yes, they could fire you for this.

Your mouth (or anyone elses) running off about your salary is not something protected by federal statutes. If you're in an at-will state, your employer can pretty much fire you for anything not protected by the government.

Yes
it is not allowed to discuss rate of pay
what if you found out that someone newer than yourself and inexperienced was making more than you are?

it causes to many problems

It depends on your employer's/company's policy. If they say you can't and you do, then sure they can fire you.

it's one of those things that are true for any company you work for. Knowing someone's salary creates a lot of problems the company doesn't want to have.

They can, in a free society an employer can fire anyone for any reason at anytime.

creates conflict as you have seen. AT will employment - look it up.

yes they can. That information is always to remain confidential and should not be talked about with other employees

Sure can! The same thinghappened to me.

they have the right to fire for no reason