Credit: State of PA
Pennsylvania will end its practice of forcing job applicants to provide their salary history during the hiring process.
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf signed an executive order Wednesday banning the practice for candidates applying for state jobs and called on legislators to pass similar protections for all job seekers.
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Wolf said the executive order – titled “Equal Pay for Employees of the Commonwealth” – will address the pay gap for women.
“The gender wage gap is wrong,” the governor said. “It’s wrong for women, wrong for families, wrong for business, and wrong for the economy of Pennsylvania. This executive order begins to end this discriminatory practice, so that women hired by the commonwealth are paid what they deserve, and the wage gap does not follow them to a state job.”
“All women deserve this same protection, but with federal inaction, the state must take steps to close the gap. Working together, we can ensure that equal pay for equal work is a reality in Pennsylvania.”
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The governor’s office said the executive order also directs state agencies to list base salaries on jobs postings; base pay on applicants knowledge and skills; and to clearly explain the pay range on job listings.
“It’s going to mean a big difference for a lot of women,” said State Rep. Tina Davis, a Democrat from Bristol Township.
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Data has shown that women in the workforce often earn less than men, but the reasoning for the pay gap is still not concrete, according to a Vox.com article from earlier this year.
Wolf’s executive order will take effect in 90 days.
