Illinois employers can no longer ask job applicants about their wage history.
A new law, that went into effect on Sunday, aims to even out the pay gap that has many women earning less than men in the same job.
Illinois Department of Labor Director Michael Kleinik explains how it works.
“The prospective employer cannot ask the prospective employee what their past salary history was. If the applicant voluntarily provides wage and salary history, the employer has not violated the law, and cannot be penalized,” Kleinik said.
The ban does not apply if the person’s salary is a matter of public record or if they are a current employee of the company.
Kleinik says the Illinois Department of Labor has been trying to educate employers and the public about the new law.
“We’ve been doing several outreaches. And, then on our website we do have frequently asked questions on wage and hour ban, that people can go look at,” Kleinik said.
A link to the Illinois Department of Labor website is HERE.
