When a manager makes a comment like that to the employees, it is actually the manager who should be disciplined. Under most circumstances, employees have the right to talk about salaries.
In terms of the bigger picture, one has to wonder about the skills of a manager who wanders through the lunchroom and jumps into private conversations with threats of discipline unless discussions about pay are squelched immediately. This is not the best way to build morale, motivation, commitment, and productivity.
If there is a trend in the workplace, it is for companies to openly and candidly provide the employees with a broad range of financial information. This trend, referred to as open book management, is premised on the belief that employees are key resources who should not only be kept informed on the company's financial situation, but also provided with opportunities to present their inputs in this area.
The concept of managing by wandering around is very important, as managerial effectiveness can clearly be improved through increased contact and communication with the employees. An informal visit at lunch can definitely help, but the idea is to provide food for thought, rather than stirring things up.
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