Effective Oct. 31, 2017, it became illegal for public and private employers of any size in New York City to ask about an applicant’s salary history during the hiring process, including in advertisements for positions, on applications, or in interviews. Rather than rely on an applicant’s previous salary, employers and job applicants can now engage in salary negotiations focused on the applicant’s qualifications and requirements for the job to set a salary.
Everyone in New York City deserves to be paid based on their skills and qualifications, not their previous salary. Inquiring about salary history during the hiring process, an action banned under the new Law, often creates a cycle of inequity and discrimination in the workplace, which perpetuates lower salaries specifically for women and people of color.
If you experience salary history discrimination, we can help. Contact the NYC Commission on Human Rights to report discrimination on our online form or by calling (212) 416-0197.