Water cooler chats just got more interesting…

From 27 August 2025, a new law: The Employee Remuneration Disclosure Act 2025, means employees are free to talk about their pay — and employers can’t take adverse action if they do.

That means it’s now unlawful to dismiss, demote, or disadvantage someone simply because they:

• share their own pay
• ask about a colleague’s pay
• or join in a pay chat over coffee …or at the water cooler

Employees don’t have to disclose their pay, but if they choose to, they’re protected. Pay secrecy clauses can remain, and be introduced, into employment agreements, but enforcing this will now be extremely limited.

For employers, the takeaway is simple: expect more open conversations about pay, and make sure your policies and practices are aligned. Because like it or not, those water cooler chats are here to stay.