New York Enacts Tougher Laws on Pay Equity and Salary History Inquiries

By Simone R.D. Francis & Shabri Sharma | Ogletree Deakins

As we previously reported, the New York State Senate and Assembly recently passed Senate Bill 5248A and Senate Bill 6549. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed both bills, and both became law on July 10, 2019.

Senate Bill 5248A, which amends Section 194 of the New York Labor Law, prohibits wage differentials based on any protected class. This law will take effect on October 8, 2019. Senate Bill 6549, now Section 194-A of the New York Labor Law, prohibits private-sector employers from seeking, requesting, or requiring wage or salary histories of job applicants and current employees, except under certain circumstances. The law will take effect on January 6, 2020.

New York employers may want to begin reviewing and updating their policies and practices.

Ogletree Deakins will continue to monitor developments with regard to these laws and will post updates on the firm’s blog as additional guidance becomes available.

Compliments of Ogletree Deakins, a member of the EACCNY