In another major victory for workers’ rights, on January 15, 2020 NYC Int. 1208 became law, requiring all employers to include the minimum and maximum salaries in job postings. This marks another success in a decade-long campaign, driven by PowHer New York’s network of 100+ organizations, to address and close the gender and racial wage gap that has robbed workers and families of wages and perpetuates cycles of poverty and economic insecurity.
The law, sponsored by outgoing Council member Helen Rosenthal, which takes effect in 120 days, will provide jobseekers with the information needed to negotiate fairer salaries and help businesses efficiently hire and retain the best talent that matches their needs. In the current tight job market, this new law positions New York City as a leader in an equitable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
This anti-discrimination policy aims to address the persistent gender and racial wage gap and the dismal fact that women of color in NYC still earn between 55 and 65 cents as compared to white, non Hispanic men. Advocates and leaders vow to fight for continued reforms, including a NYS Salary Range law, to combat historic disparities in opportunities and pay. Previous New York pay equity reforms include the 2017 NYC and 2020 NYS Salary History Ban, 2019 NYC Local Law 18 which requires data analysis of the NYC municipal workforce, the 2015 NYS law to protect workers from retaliation when sharing wage information, and the 2019 NYS equal pay for similar work standard.
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“We applaud the New York City Council and former member Helen Rosenthal for achieving another concrete step in eliminating the causes of wage inequality by requiring all employers list salary ranges in job postings. This transformative law will minimize bias, maximize transparency, shift cultural norms and level the “paying” field,” said Beverly Neufeld, President of PowHer New York. “Because all workers across the state need and deserve this proactive solution to ending wage discrimination, PowHer New York urges the swift passage of S5598B Ramos/A6529A Joyner.”
Bill sponsor Helen Rosenthal said, “Our new law shines a light on pay inequity. Including pay ranges in job postings allows job seekers to determine whether they will be able to support themselves and their family when they apply for a job. It’s goal is to level the playing field and restore dignity to those seeking employment. This bill also lays the groundwork for the State to pass pay equity legislation. A brighter light would include full compensation – in addition to salary – and a look-back window for employees to see the salary range for all employees with the same title.”
“I am proud to have co-sponsored and supported the passage of New York City’s salary range bill, which will take effect this month,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “This crucial legislation can help make a difference in our efforts to close gender and racial pay disparities. I applaud the advocacy of PowHerNY and partners across the City that fought tirelessly to make this bill a reality.”
“As someone who has worked hard to break glass ceilings my whole life, pay equity is an issue of great importance to me,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “The new equal pay law is something I advocated for and is a tremendous step towards ending racial and gender discrimination and providing job seekers with full transparency.”
“Changing the culture at so many workplaces, New York City’s salary range disclosure law will make sure that workers benefit from greater transparency when it comes to wages and benefits,” Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (D-Bronx, 77th AD), chair of the Assembly Labor Committee said, “When employers provide much needed clarity to pay structures and make that information available to employees and job seekers, companies are encouraged to update antiquated practices that have led to patterns of wage discrimination and, like my state legislation, the New York City law is an important step forward in efforts to level the playing field as we seek to end gender pay inequities throughout New York.”
“Pay transparency for both current and potential applicants creates an organizing point for equitable wages. Putting this information in the hands of workers empowers them to demand equal pay for equal work, effectively ending race and gender-based wage discrimination that has historically put Black and Latina women far behind their White, male counterparts in terms of earnings. I applaud the New York City Council for passing Intro. 128, and will be fighting to expand this push for pay equity on the state level in the 2022 legislative session,” said State Senator Jessica Ramos.
“Having a salary range from minimum and maximum for any work position being applied to here in New York City is a fair and transparent process for current and future employees. In this current era of the “Great Resignation” that we are living in, it is imperative that our employers provide not only provide a salary range for our employees but also an equitable one that will help our workers support themselves and their families,” said Council member Farah Louis, Co-Chair Women’s Caucus.
“Wages fundamentally influence quality of life -they define what is affordable in the short term and impact the ability to accumulate wealth over generations,” said Annabel Palma, Chair and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights. “This law can help level the playing field for employees: women, people of color, and other New Yorkers who have historically been – and continue to be – harmed by wage disparities.”
“Intro 1208’s enactment into law is a big step for wage equity and leveling the playing field for all workers,” said Councilwoman Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “When employers use opaque hiring practices, workers are kept in the dark. In particular, women and people of color face enormous pressure to accept lower wages and undervalue themselves. These practices only perpetuate the wage gap, and they have no place in our City’s competitive economy. I applaud former Councilwoman Rosenthal’s advocacy, and look forward to continuing the fight for equitable pay.”
“This new law brings women one step closer to reaching pay equity in their search for employment,” said CWA Local 1180 President Gloria Middleton. “Women traditionally have accepted jobs for far lower salaries than men because they did not know how to value their worth during a job interview. By requiring job postings to include both the minimum and maximum salaries, women will no longer have to sell themselves short to get a job; they will be on a level playing field with men. Local 1180 has been at the forefront for years of fighting for pay equity, starting with our lawsuit against the City of New York on behalf of our Administrative Managers who were being paid thousands of dollars less than their male counterparts in the same title doing substantially similar work. We were successful in that lawsuit and in paving the way for other unions and groups to continue our work until we only have to speak about pay equity as a thing of the past.”
“This bill represents the kind of human capital transparency that is being called for by governance monitoring agencies as well as the SEC. NYC should be proud to be one of the first cities to require disclosures about salary ranges. Despite the myth that these matters should be held in secret, decades of research have proven that the more transparent companies are about human capital matter, the better they do. This is beneficial for all stakeholders – companies, employees, communities, investors,” said professor and founder of HCMoneyball, Solange Charas, Ph.D.
Seher Khawaja, Legal Momentum said “As a women’s rights organization dedicated to advancing pay equity for over five decades now, we know that pay transparency laws, like Council Member Rosenthal’s bill, are a necessary component of a multi-faceted strategy to tackle pay inequity, particularly for the most vulnerable workers. As part of our tireless advocacy in partnership with PowHer-NY, we are thrilled to see New York City take the lead to enact this critical piece of legislation, which stands to make a real difference for women and people of color in one of the largest cities in the world.”