Posted on 08/11/2016 6:13:52 AM PDT by reaganaut1
In a groundbreaking effort to close the wage gap between men and women, Massachusetts has become the first state to bar employers from asking about applicants’ salaries before offering them a job.
The new law will require hiring managers to state a compensation figure upfront — based on what an applicant’s worth is to the company, rather than on what he or she made in a previous position.
The bipartisan legislation, signed into law on Monday by Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, is being pushed as a model for other states, as the issue of men historically outearning women who do the same job has leapt onto the national political scene.
Nationally, there have been repeated efforts to strengthen equal pay laws — which are already on the books but tend to lack teeth — but none have succeeded so far. Hillary Clinton has tried to make equal pay a signature issue of her campaign, while Donald J. Trump’s daughter Ivanka praised her father for his actions on this issue when she spoke at the Republican National Convention.
By barring companies from asking prospective employees how much they earned at their last jobs, Massachusetts will ensure that the historically lower wages and salaries assigned to women and minorities do not follow them for their entire careers. Companies tend to set salaries for new hires using their previous pay as a base line.
“I think very few businesses consciously discriminate, but they need to become aware of it,” said State Senator Pat Jehlen, a Democrat and one of the bill’s co-sponsors. “These are things that don’t just affect one job; it keeps women’s wages down over their entire lifetime.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Because "we" (even most conservatives) have forgotten to ask "DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THIS?" "We" just assume that it does; "we" behave as though the government has the authority to do anything any group of agitators demand that it do. "We" have destroyed a republic and created a mob-controlled tyranny.
When asked what my current salary is or what salary I am expecting I respond with “What were you expecting to pay?” That shuts them up.
Should be a national law.
You would think that would be the case, that I should know the salary range before I even go for the interview but that’s not always the case.
I can see this being abused to the deterement of potential employees.
Regrettably Massachusetts DOES have the authority to do this.
The Constitution limits the power of the FEDERAL Government, not the States.
It will put recruiters in a bit of a bind. If they have a job paying $70K and you are already making $90K it’s best for all concerned to get that on the table and make sure that you aren’t wasting your time.
I actually also support this law.
What you made at your last job is no ones business but yours, and should have no bearing on what you get paid at the next job.
Tell me what you are willing to pay, and I will decide if I take the job.
Exactly right.
Every business has to trust its employees to maintain certain information confidential, and the best way to demonstrate the importance of this is by respecting the confidentiality of a prospective employees salary history. Let them be the judge of whether or not to accept an offer.
Besides, the company should establish the value of a job based on industry norms without regard to any one individual.
Perhaps you're more familiar with the Massachusetts State Constitution than I am, and know which provision thereof grants them such authority. State Constitutions do restrict the powers of those governments. We're (supposed to be) a Constitutional Republic all the way down. Even counties and cities have charters delineating the limits of their authority.
I have BEGGED my state legislators to introduce some kind of fig-leaf of protection to job applicants when things are to the point that an employer can force you to answer any number of things that are none of their d@mn business.
This is a good law and I am glad to see it passed.
Bullcrap I have taken jobs that pay less if the opportunity is better. It is none of your damn business how much I make now. Like I said I know how to play the game. Take the low ball and use them as a stepping stone.
EXACTLY. And sometimes it is in the employer’s best interest to up their offer, for a prized candidate, BASED on that candidate’s prior salary history. Incentive. But incentive is not to be considered, it seems, while equalizing everything by the government.
How about make an offer and let the prospect make a counter offer LIKE EVERY OTHER NEGOTIATION ON THE PLANET?
If the new prospective employer offers only 10% more than your current pay, you can always say, “no thanks, I need 20% more.” or walk away. This law is intended to shackle employers, and to put additional regulations into the process. If the employer can attract good people by not offering “market wages” (maybe they’ll hire some immigrants instead), then it is the prerogative of the employer to do so.
I will predict right now that Massachusetts will be the first state to ban employers from asking about salary, but will allow them to require a pre-employment urinalysis for nicotine.
So not to get all Howie Carr on everyone here on FR but I want to know who is going to enforce this.
You know, someone's brother inlaw gets a State Job and goes around checking into it.... And oh by the way gets a Full Sized Car or SUV with the Blue "Statee" Mass license plates. And they are all over the State for those of you that haven't ventured into the People's Republik, recently.
And oh yes, don't forget The State Pension....
What you are saying is they trying to screw you from the git go and not pay market wages. Yet they want loyalty and hard work. This is why snakes like Bernie Sanders even exist.
It is for me. I don't interview unless I know the salary range.
If they hire fewer people then they really didn’t need the position filled.
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