It's a question employers love, but did you know it could be against the law to ask about an applicant's pay history?
A growing number of cities and states have enacted "salary history bans" that prohibit employers from asking about past earnings during the application and interview process, or using that information when making pay decisions.
The logic behind these laws is to put an end to the gender pay gap perpetuated by men (often) being more aggressive about pay than women. Supporters of these laws argue that because women and minorities have historically been paid less, using prior salary as a baseline only serves to make pay inequality worse over time.
Cities and states that have passed salary history bans include (but are not limited to): California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York City, Oregon, Puerto Rico, and Vermont.
Are your job applications and interview procedures compliant with state and local laws on salary history?
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