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
Pennsylvania - Lehigh County
Bill
Lehigh County Human Relations Ordinance, §§ 301, 302.1(O), 307, and 401 to 407
Effective
June 24, 2024
Violations
Ask a job applicant what their salary is or was from any current or previous employment.
Penalties
Compensatory and punitive damages; attorneys’ fees and costs; injunctive relief; restitution; civil fine up to $500 for each violation; willful resistance, prevention, impeding, or interfering with the Commission, or willful violation, can result in conviction of a summary offense and a fine of $100-$500.
Voluntary Disclosure
(not addressed)
Interview Guidelines
(not addressed)
Location
Philadelphia
Bill
No. 160840
Effective
5/23/2017…Enforcement begins 9/1/2020
Violations
Seek pay history of a candidate, including earnings, commissions and fringe benefits; set an interview to contract candidate’s nondisclosure of salary history; or rely on salary history during any stage of the hiring process unless disclosed willingly
Penalties
Salary inquiries – Civil penalties up to $2,000 incurred for each violation. Repeated violations will lead to imprisonment for 90 days.
Voluntary Disclosure
Employers may rely on information gathered via voluntary disclosure. This is not a violation.
Interview Guidelines
Employers may engage candidates in discussions about salary, benefits and other compensation expectations without violating the law. FAQ