Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has signed into law amendments to the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act that substantially expand an employer’s obligation to ensure equal pay. The amendments prohibit differences in pay for “comparable work” and generally preclude employer’s from asking prospective hires about their salary histories until after the employer makes a job offer with a compensation term.
Signed on August 1, 2016, the new law amends Massachusetts General Laws chapter 149 section 105A (the “Act”) and will take effect in 2018. The Act will be enforced by the Massachusetts Attorney General but employees will also have a right to bring a private right of action for violations of the Act.
The Act relies on five overarching provisions designed to eliminate the gender wage gap.
Read more at: Massachusetts Adopts Strict Equal Pay Requirements