Pay Equity Laws
What is pay equity?
Pay equity is a means of eliminating gender and ethnic discrimination in the wage-setting system. In this context, the criteria which employers use to determine wages must be gender- and ethnicity-neutral.
What is pay equity legislation?
The overarching purpose of pay equity legislation is to prohibit employers from discriminating on the basis of gender or ethnicity in the payment of wages. To assist candidates and clients alike throughout the hiring process, we’ve compiled relevant information associated with pay equity legislation enacted around the United States. This webpage includes updated information, including:
- Bill names
- Effective start dates
- Violations and penalties
- Exceptions related to voluntary disclosure and interview guidelines
If a state or territory is not included in the dropdown below, there is no pending legislation.
*This is not intended to be legal advice.
Location
Statewide
Bill
Public Act 101-0177
Effective
10/29/2019
Violations
Employers may not screen applicants based on salary history; require salary history to meet a minimum or maximum criterion; seek or require pay history.
Penalties
Back pay and interest; compensatory damages; punitive damages; injunctive relief; costs and attorneys’ fees; up to $10,000; civil penalties ranging from $500 to $5000 for each violation.
Voluntary Disclosure
Not a violation, but the employer may not rely on the disclosure.
Interview Guidelines
(not addressed)