"Sarah Tacke discusses the difficulties she faces when performing her journalistic duties, having posed over 90 questions"

Sarah Tacke, the moderator of the new ZDF documentary, is challenging the silence around salaries in Germany with her thought-provoking report, "The Truth about Work and Money." The documentary, airing on September 2 at 8:15 PM on ZDF, delves into the deep-rooted cultural taboo surrounding salary disclosure, particularly among those with high incomes.

Tacke filmed at a Berlin company that practices complete transparency regarding salaries, offering a unique insight into a system that is far from the norm in Germany. However, finding people willing to discuss their income for the documentary was a challenging task. Over 90 requests were sent out, but many were met with reluctance due to fear of losing respect, harmony, or job position.

Those with high incomes are particularly hesitant to express their views publicly, fearing they may find themselves in a position of justification. Power and shame play a significant role in these discussions, with many people shying away from challenging the system.

Tacke argues that performance is not always fairly rewarded in Germany, with origin, gender, or networks often counting more than competence. This lack of transparency in salaries reveals a deeply ingrained societal norm: not discussing money, especially if one earns more than others or feels disadvantaged.

Despite the challenges, the ZDF team managed to meet "two people with high incomes" for the documentary. Their insights offer a glimpse into the complexities of salary discussions and the potential for change in attitudes towards this taboo topic.

The reportage is in cooperation with teleschau and is set to make viewers think and potentially change their attitudes towards discussing salaries. "The Truth about Work and Money" promises to be a thought-provoking and enlightening documentary, shedding light on a topic that is often shrouded in secrecy in Germany.