A wage disclosure bill aimed at leveling the playing field for those seeking jobs will be on the table during the second session of the 31st Alaska State Legislature, which convened on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
House Bill 200, sponsored by Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, would require employers to include wage or salary ranges when advertising jobs, explicitly allowing all employees to disclose and discuss their wages. The bill would also prohibit employers from asked applicants about their wage history or using it as a basis for future wages or benefits without an applicant’s voluntary consent.
Tarr said the bill would be good for employers because the information will help limit applicants to only those truly interested in a position.
“When employers only list phrases such as ‘depending on experience,’ all applicants are at a disadvantage as they won’t know if it is worth investing time and effort to apply for a job,” she said. “This especially harms women and minorities who have historically been underpaid.”
Making pay levels transparent empowers individuals with information, leads to better job placement and in turn allows businesses and organizations to excel because they are staffed with dedicated employees, she said.
