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NYC Poised to Ban Firms From Asking Job Candidates About Pay (bloomberg.com)
In a vote this week, the New York City approved legislation that will ban employers from asking job applicants about what they make in their current or past job and could have far-reaching consequences beyond the city as employers try to standardize their practices. From a report: "This bill will go a long way in addressing wage disparities women -- and particularly women of color -- face," said Public Advocate Letitia James, who sponsored the measure. White women in New York earn on average 84 percent of what white men earn, while Asian women earn 63 percent, black women earn 55 percent and Hispanic women just 46 percent, according to a report from the advocate's office, based on U.S. Census data. Asking about pay in a job interview hurts women who may start from a lower level than male candidates -- an effect that compounds over time. "It perpetuates discrimination," James said. "And it has an effect on their pensions as well."
While I do agree that questioning pay should be banned, I really wish they would stop with the "Women get paid less than men" myth. Continuing to use it is fake news.
Actually, this will mostly help people with gaps in employment. As a hiring manager it is fairly typical move to disqualify candidates that previously earned too much out of fear that they will leave shortly. Even if this is not the case and applicant is willing to take a pay cut to get any job.
I think they meant it as a general term for "retirement"; if you don't fixate specifically on pension in the traditional sense, it's a true statement. If they're contributing x% of a lower salary, that's worse than x% of a higher salary. If there's a company match, it's a function of salary as well.
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