Loophole in The Salary Transparency Bill And Lobbyists Too
Council members Natasha Williams and Justin Brannan’s salary transparency bill went into effect today for businesses with four or more employees (including the owner). See the bill here
New York City employers must post the minimum and maximum salary amounts that they will pay when they list a job.
The new law prohibits job listings from being vague with: $18 per hour and up. Also vague would be: A maximum salary of $40,000 per year.
The new law doesn’t prevent listings from posting ranges like: $50,000 – $100,000
Current job posting:
Or this:
These are large salary ranges, which just wastes people’s time.
Basically this salary is the difference between a starting salary and someone with experience.
Private companies don’t want to post the high end of what they are willing to pay for a more qualified candidate, especially if they are able to hire the candidate at a lower salary.
Why didn’t Chris McCreight or other members on NYC Council predict how this would work and fix the bill before the Council voted on it last Spring?
Justin Brannan likes “good faith” bills. But this isn’t Kansas – this is NYC and the law should be clear to everyone. The lack of clarity diluted the effectiveness of the bill. The bill should have defined Good faith with a percentage.
Temporary help firms are exempt from posting salaries.
Employers who post a listing without the salary or are vague have 30 days to fix it or they can be fined. They can be finded up to $250,000 in civil penalties. (Source)
The NYC Commission on Human Rights is supposed to enforce this. (See here) To report an incident of discrimination call: 212-416-0197 or report it here.
Let’s not forget the lobbyist who made some Councilmembers dance:
Brannan appeared on this Introduction 134 listing in the lobbyist database (find it here)
Why is there always a lobbyist? Someone ask Chris McCreight!
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Hugs,
marlene
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