New Salary Transparency Law in New York Boosts Equal Pay and Worker Empowerment, US

New York employers will now be required to disclose proposed pay rates in their help-wanted advertisements, thanks to a new statewide salary transparency law. The aim of this law is to provide women and people of color with a way to advocate for equal pay for equal work. The rule states that salary ranges for any job advertised publicly or internally for promotions or transfers must be disclosed by employers with at least four workers. This new law is an important step towards promoting pay transparency and ensuring that employers cannot offer different pay based on age, gender, race, or factors unrelated to skills. It will also benefit underpaid workers by making them aware if they are earning less than their counterparts for the same job. A similar pay transparency ordinance has been in effect in New York City since 2022, and other states such as California and Colorado also have similar laws in place. There is a trend, not just in legislatures but among workers, to know how much they can expect going into a job. There’s a demand from workers to know the pay range, said Da Hae Kim, a state policy senior counsel at the National Women’s Law Center. However, compliance with this new law may pose a challenge, especially for small employers who may not be aware of its existence. Frank Kerbein, director of human resources at the New York Business Council, expressed concerns about unintentional noncompliance. State Senator Jessica Ramos praised the new law, stating that it is a victory for labor rights groups. She believes that it will provide young workers with a better understanding of how their work is valued. This development marks a significant milestone in the journey towards achieving equal pay and empowering workers. The transparency brought about by disclosing pay ranges will help eliminate discriminatory practices and ensure fair compensation for all individuals based on their abilities and qualifications.