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One to Keep An Eye On: Prohibition on Inquiries About Applicant's Salary History (California)


As with many labor and employment cases (and bills) being litigated around the country, there are always a few that stand out.  This is one to keep an eye on.


Currently, the California Legislature is considering AB 1676 which would prohibit employers from making verbal or written inquiries about an applicant's salary history.  The bill, authored by California Assembly Member Nora Campos, would also require private employers to provide any applicant with the pay scale for a particular position, if requested.

Campos stated her interest in pushing for passage of this bill is focused in party upon closing the gender wage gap.  A similar bill that Campos supported last year ended up passing both the House and Senate before California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed it.  Hard to say if this version of the bill will meet the same fate as the previous version, but perhaps with it being a national election year, someone like Hillary Clinton would be willing to lend her support to the issue?  Time will tell.  


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