A new municipal law took effect Tuesday in New York City, requiring companies with four or more employees to include a specific pay range in every job posting.
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A new municipal law took effect Tuesday in New York City, requiring companies with four or more employees to include a specific pay range in every job posting.
BioSpace has previously reported how similar laws mandating salary transparency affect employers in California, Montana, Colorado and Washington.
Supporters of pay transparency say policies like the one implemented in New York City are an essential step in closing the gender and racial pay gaps, which persist in life sciences, by empowering people to negotiate for equitable pay via greater transparency.
In an online poll, BioSpace found that 93% of respondents supported salary transparency laws to require companies with four or more employees to disclose a specific pay range in job postings.
The Law
The law states, “employers advertising jobs in New York City must include a good faith salary range for every job, promotion and transfer opportunity advertised.”
This dictate includes full- and part-time jobs, internships and contractor roles advertised online, in printed flyers and internal postings – any form of job advertisement now requires a pay range.
However, it does not apply to remote roles outside the city, even if it is posted by a New York City-based employer.
If an employer is not complying, complaints can be filed with New York’s Commission on Human Rights. Individuals may also file a lawsuit in civil court against a current employer.
The Commission allows a 30-day grace period for a first complaint, provided the employer demonstrates that it has rectified the violation.
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, Rhode Island and Washington have all passed laws that require employers to provide salary ranges in some capacity.
What Now?
More states are likely to follow suit.
BioSpace encourages all employers to include salaries in their job postings, not only for transparency and equitable pay but to increase applications to their open roles and improve employee retention.
BioSpace hosts thousands of life sciences jobs on its career platform, including jobs in New York City, and will be reviewing its automated and manual job postings to ensure that salary is posted where required.
