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.

 

Oregon

Location

Statewide

Bill

HB 2005

Effective

10/6/2017

Violations

Seek pay history of a candidate from applicant or former or current employer; or screen compensation history of an applicant and determine salary offer based on compensation history

Penalties

Salary inquiries and unfair pay – punitive damages and attorney’s fees

Voluntary Disclosure

Employers may rely on salary information gathered through voluntary disclosure but cannot pressure candidates for it.

Interview Guidelines

(not addressed)