Are employers allowed to ask questions about previous salary history?
In the state of Washington, employers are generally allowed to ask questions about a job candidate’s previous salary history. However, there are some restrictions on this. In 2019, Governor Jay Inslee signed the Equal Pay and Opportunity Act, which is aimed at prohibiting employers from asking a job applicant about their salary history. Under this law, employers are only allowed to ask about the candidate’s salary expectations for the role. The law is intended to help ensure that all job candidates are evaluated fairly and compensated based on their qualifications, rather than their salary history. It also prevents employers from undervaluing job candidates’ worth based on their previous salary. Additionally, the law does not apply to any candidate who has held previous positions in Washington State or whose previous employer was headquartered in the state. In these cases, employers may still ask about salary history as part of the recruitment process. Employers are also allowed to verify a job applicant’s salary history if the applicant voluntarily discloses the information. Overall, employers in Washington State are generally allowed to ask applicants about their previous salary history. However, they must adhere to the restrictions outlined in the Equal Pay and Opportunity Act to ensure they are treating job candidates fairly.
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