Attorney Steve Sack Supports New York City Council’s Decision to Eliminate Questions about Salary History of Candidates from Job Interviews

Steven Mitchell Sack, “The Employee’s Lawyer,” says the New York City Council’s decision to prevent companies from asking job candidates about their salary history will ensure their privacy and force companies to pay a fair wage once he or she is hired.
 
On April 5, the City Council approved a bill introduced by Public Advocate Letitia James and Queens Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley that stops companies from requiring prospective employees to disclose their salary history. In addition, the New York City Commission on Human Rights will enforce this new regulation, and levy fines of up to $250,000 on companies that are deemed to be in violation of this rule.
 
Council members voted for the bill because they believed that, once hired, the candidate will be paid based on their work experience, not on what they earned at their previous jobs. They also said this would help close the wage gap between male and female earners. A study by Ms. James’ office found that, in 2016, women earned a combined $5.8 billion less in wages than men. The National Partnership for Women & Families recently released a report showing that, in New York State, men earn 11% more than women overall; the group also found that African-American women earn 34% less than white men and Latina women make 44% less.
 
“There are many questions that companies are legally not allowed to ask a candidate during a job interview and inquiries about salary history should be at the top of the list,” Mr. Sack says. “How much money a person earned at their previous job is that person’s business and no one else’s. The elimination of the salary history question will also ensure that newly hired employees — especially women — are paid a salary that is comparable to their work experience. If they feel they are not being properly compensated by their employer, they should contact an employment law attorney immediately.”
 

For more information, call (917) 371-8000 or visit www.theemployeeslawyer.com.
 

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About Steven Mitchell Sack
Steven Mitchell Sack, “The Employee’s Lawyer®,” has been enforcing workplace rights of employees, executives, and sales representatives for over 36 years. He is a practicing attorney concentrating in employment law, as well as an author of 19 books, a lecturer and syndicated radio talk show host. He obtained a favorable decision for a group of waiters who were denied their fair share of tips that were held back by a caterer. For more information, visit www.theemployeeslawyer.com.