What
What are Pay Transparency Laws
Pay Transparency Laws are designed to allow greater equity in pay.
It is hoped that by fostering openess in discussing pay, employees doing similar work will be paid similarly.
This will hoepfully close the way gap between genders, racial groups, and “protected” groups.
Which
Which States
Which States have laws in the book?
California
Yes, as you would expect, the Golden State was the first in the US to codify aspects of what is known as Equal Pay.
The law states that upon conclusion of the first interview, a job applicant, may request a pay range for the job that is being applied for.
In furtherance the Law States that employers may not ask applicants for their salary histories.
BTW, the law was signed into Law in 2016 by then Governor Pat Brown.
California’s Law is called Equal Pay Act and available here.
Colorado
In 2021-January, Colorado passed its own Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.
The state law requires employers to list the pay range and benefits for every job opening.
Here is a link to the Law.
Connecticut
In 2021-October, Connecticut passed its own version of the Equal Pay Law.
It is named House Bill 6380.
The Law requires employers to provide a pay range upon extending a job offer.
If an applicant requests a range during the interview process, he/she should be offered a pay range, as well.
Here is a link.
Maryland
In 2016, Maryland passed its “Equal Pay for Equal Work” Act.
In 2020, the law was extended to require employers to provide pay ranges to candidates upon request.
Employers, also by law, may not ask question employees on past salary history.
Here is a link.
Nevada
In 2021-October, Nevada passed its own version of Pay transparency.
The Law’s basic requirement is that employers must automatically provide each potential employees a salary range for the job he/she interviewed for.
Nevada patterned his law based on California’s.
But, made providing the salary range compulsory for employers.
Here is a link.
Rhode Island
In 2021, Rhode Island passed a pay transparency law.
The law took effect on 2023-January-1st.
The law requires an employer to provide a salary range if requested by the interviewee.
The law also requires the employer to first provide the salary range prior to conversing on compensation with the applicant.
Here is a link.
Washington
In 2019, the State of Washington ammended its Equal Pay and Opportunities Act.
The Act requires employers to be prepared to provide a salary range upon making a job offer.
It places the onus on the job applicant to request the salary range.
Here is a link.
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