New York City has recently accused job search websites such as CareerBuilder LLC and Monster Worldwide of violating their pay transparency law. This accusation is indicative of how regulators nationwide may enforce mandates for salary ranges in job advertisements moving forward.
The job search websites, along with others such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter Inc., were among over 30 employers that faced complaints from the city’s Commission on Human Rights late last year. A spokesperson for the commission said the complaints have not resulted in fines, suggesting the agency’s current focus is aimed more at urging employers to comply with the law.
More than 30 employers were targeted in these complaints.
The law in New York City is part of a series of laws that have been passed over the last few years addressing pay discrepancies and wage gaps. These laws generally require companies to include salary ranges in job advertisements. The goal of such laws is to improve pay transparency and thus ultimately reduce gender and racial wage gaps.
Interestingly, Colorado is currently the only state that has issued fines to employers for alleged violations of these laws. This enforcement strategy suggests a possible shift in the role of career websites as regulators use them to ensure companies comply with pay transparency laws.
As other U.S. cities and states follow New York City and Colorado in enforcing pay transparency laws, career websites can potentially expect increased scrutiny. In the light of this emerging role, it may be prudent for employers and job posting platforms to seek appropriate legal advice to ensure compliance with the ever-changing legal landscape.