Talking about money with your employees can be uncomfortable. Even when you’ve got good news to share — a generous bonus or a well-deserved promotion — assigning a number to the value of someone’s work is tough. It’s especially difficult if you’re not the one calling the shots (most managers don’t set their own compensation budgets). Whether it’s your decision or not, one thing is certain: it’s a critical part of a manager’s job to have frank and open discussions with employees about pay.