New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to soon sign a bill that would prohibit the city’s private and public employers from asking about a job applicant’s salary history. Once signed, the bill will go into effect in 180 days, giving employers time to review their procedures. The New York City Council passed the bill on April 5.
The bill will make it unlawful for employers to inquire about salary history or rely on salary history, benefits or any other compensation, during the recruiting or hiring process. Searching public records for an applicant’s salary history will also be prohibited.
Employers may, however, consider previous salary information if the applicant voluntarily, and without prompting, discloses his salary. In addition, employers may discuss an applicant’s salary and benefit expectations and may inform the applicant about the proposed or anticipated salary range of the position.
Once signed, New York City will join Massachusetts and Philadelphia as jurisdictions to pass laws regarding salary history. Blasio previously signed a bill that prevented city agencies from inquiring about salary history.
