New York City’s new pay transparency law went into effect last month, requiring employers to include a specific salary range (minimum & maximum) in any published job listings.
And as of Wednesday, December 21, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new legislation, establishing a statewide pay transparency law in all of New York State.
Beginning September 18, 2023, the legislation will require all New York state employers to include offered salary ranges in their job postings.
The hopes are that these new laws will empower potential employees with critical information, reduce discriminatory wage-setting and hiring practices, and level the playing field for all workers.
“In order for New York to continue being the best place to work, we must create the best protections for our workers – and this legislation will help do exactly that,” said Governor Hochul. “This historic measure will usher in a new era of fairness and transparency for New York’s workforce and will be a critical tool in our efforts to end pervasive pay gaps for women and people of color.”
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women made 83 cents for every dollar made by men in 2020. And these pay disparities are even greater among Black women (who made 64 cents for every man’s dollar) and Hispanic women (who made 57 cents for every man’s dollar).
“With today’s bill signing, New York’s first woman governor is implementing a statewide structural fix to the racial and gender-based wealth gaps that leave women in the workforce far behind their peers. Equal pay for equal work is how we build up women as the economic anchors of their communities,” added State Senator Jessica Ramos.
Employers with at least four employees who don’t comply with the new law face penalties of up to $3,000 per violation.