Blog

BLOG / 10.31.17 /Jack Malley

Employers Beware: New York City’s New Salary History Law Is Effective As Of October 31

On October 31, 2017 New York City’s new salary history law goes into effect. The law, which applies to private employers of any size, bars employers from inquiring about a job applicant’s salary history, but permits employers to request an applicant’s compensation demands. The law also bars employers from seeking salary history information from an applicant’s current or former employers. New York City employers should review all job application forms to exclude questions about salary history, and train all interviewers to assure compliance with the law.

New York City’s new law continues a trend in the state. In 2016, Mayor de Blasio signed an executive order prohibiting city agencies from inquiring about the salary history of job applicants. In January 2017, Governor Cuomo signed an executive order prohibiting state entities from asking the salary history of prospective employees. In July 2017, the State Assembly approved a wage history law pertaining to private employers, which did not make it through the Senate. And last month, a wage history law was submitted to the Westchester County Board of Legislators.