Integrators Beware, New Law to Prohibit Asking Potential Employees About Previous Wage Earnings
Like Massachusetts, Philadelphia makes it illegal for employers to ask prospective employees about their salary history.
Mayor Kenney pledges to sign the bill, created to bridge the gender pay gap.
Editor’s Note: The following story first ran in Security Sales & Integration’s sister publication CE Pro.
If this is a new trend, integrators will need to be aware when hiring their next technician or salesperson. A new law in the City of Philadelphia prohibits employers from asking job applicants about how much money they previously earned.
The Philadelphia legislature follows only a few months after the state of Massachusetts passed a similar law in August 2016.
According to philly.com, the new Wage Equity Law was signed by the city’s mayor, Jim Kenney. The aim of the law is to reduce the gap in wages between genders. It is due to become law on May 23.
According to the website, Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp. and other business leaders have warned that they intend to challenge the new law in court, citing it as a violation of First Amendment freedom of speech laws.
Mayor Kenney said in a statement, “The Law Department has thoroughly reviewed the legal concerns raised by the business community, and is confident that the law would withstand a challenge and the city would prevail.”
The law makes it illegal for employers to ask about previous salaries or to retaliate against a prospective employee for refusing to answer.
Applicants who think the law has been broken can file a complaint within 300 days with the city’s Commission on Human Relations, which would have the ability to fine employers $2,000 and order them to pay other damages, including the applicant’s legal fees.
READ: FCC Threatens IoT Industry With Mandatory Cybersecurity Testing
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
About the Author
Jason Knott
Jason Knott is Chief Content Officer for Emerald Expositions Connected Brands. Jason has covered low-voltage electronics as an editor since 1990, serving as editor and publisher of Security Sales & Integration. He joined CE Pro in 2000 and serves as Editor-in-Chief of that brand. He served as chairman of the Security Industry Association’s Education Committee from 2000-2004 and sat on the board of that association from 1998-2002. He is also a former board member of the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation. He has been a member of the CEDIA Business Working Group since 2010. Jason graduated from the University of Southern California. Have a suggestion or a topic you want to read more about? Email Jason at jason.knott@emeraldexpo.com
Related Content
Security Is Our Business, Too
For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add sales to your bottom line.
A free subscription to the #1 resource for the residential and commercial security industry will prove to be invaluable. Subscribe today!
