Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced two new laws further
bolstering New York's nation-leading pay equity policies will go into effect Tuesday
October 8th. The new laws prohibit unequal pay on the basis of a protected
class for all substantially similar work and forbid employers from asking
prospective employees about their salary history. Governor Cuomo also called on
businesses in New York to conduct internal reviews of their pay policies and
make adjustments as necessary in accordance with these new laws.
"We are at a critical point in history when this
country is finally recognizing the long-term discrimination against women and
taking action to right the wrongs of an unfair system," Governor Cuomo
said. "There is no rational reason why women should not get paid the same
as men, and these common sense measures will take us one step closer to true
equality. Now it's time for businesses across the state to take a hard look at
their pay policies and ensure women employees get paid the same as their male
colleagues if they are doing substantially similar work."
The new laws that go into effect October 8, prohibit all
employers - public and private - who do business in New York State from asking
prospective employees about their salary history and compensation, and expands
the definition of "equal pay for equal work." These measures build on
two executive orders signed by the Governor last year to eliminate the wage gap
by prohibiting state entities from evaluating candidates based on wage history
and requiring state contractors to disclose data on the gender, race and
ethnicity of employees - leveraging taxpayer dollars to drive transparency and
advance pay equity statewide. These actions build on common sense measures
championed by the Governor this year, including extending the statute of
limitations for rape in the second and third degrees, enhancing workplace
sexual harassment laws and funding a community college program that will help
single moms move out of poverty.
