Equal Pay and Wage Disclosure

Overview

This topic covers the federal, state, and local equal pay laws that prohibit employers from discriminating in compensation on the basis of sex and, in some jurisdictions, other protected classifications. In addition, the topic summarizes wage disclosure requirements – laws that prohibit employers from barring employees from disclosing or discussing their wages with each other or inquiring about other employees’ wages. The wage disclosure laws are intended to foster pay equity by encouraging transparency in pay within an employer’s organization.

Questions Answered

• What employer conduct is prohibited by equal pay law?
• What are the exceptions to the prohibition on pay discrimination?
• What employer conduct is prohibited by wage disclosure law?

Additional Information

This topic does not cover:

• Laws that limit an employer’s ability to inquire about a job applicant’s wage history
• Laws that require an employer to disclose the wage range for a position in a job posting