Reminder: Salary History Inquiries Banned in California

For Candidates, For Employers, Industry News

salary history

On October 12, 2017, Governor Jerry Brown approved AB 168, a law that prohibits all California employers from requesting potential employees’ salary history, including previous compensation and benefits. The law has been effective since January 1, 2018.

Additional US states and cities including Delaware, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York City, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh have also prohibited employers from inquiring about salary history.

With the law in effect, all applicants and candidates in the areas listed above are free to voluntary disclose their salary history if they desire, but it is not a requirement.

Below are articles from several publications to provide more information about AB 168.

Los Angeles Times
Employers don’t think bans on asking about salary history will achieve goal, survey says

San Francisco Chronicle
New law bans California employers from asking applicants their prior salary

Sacramento Business Journal
Bill to ban employers from asking salary history signed into law

The San Diego Union-Tribune
New law to ban inquiries into salary history

Along with AB 168, additional laws are changing the way California businesses operate in 2018. To learn more about other new state employment laws, click the following link to access highlights of these changes:

Los Angeles Business Journal
Human Resources, Staffing & Employment: A Holiday Stocking for California Businesses – Treats or Lumps of Coal Heading into 2018

What are your thoughts regarding the recent law changes? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Bristol Associates, Inc. is an executive search firm with over 50 years of excellence in recruiting nationwide. Bristol specializes in recruiting for the Casino Gaming; Hotels and Resorts; Travel, Tourism, and Attractions; Facilities and Concessions; Food and Beverage Manufacturing; Restaurant; Hospital and Healthcare; and Nonprofit industries.

If you’re interested in working with Bristol Associates, click here if you’re an employer or here if you’re a candidate.

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