DC Council passes bill requiring employers to post salary ranges, more
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The D.C. Council passed a bill that officials said would give potential employees more transparency when it comes to salaries that businesses and companies offer in their recruitment processes.
According to Bill 25-194, or the “Wage Transparency Omnibus Amendment Act of 2023,” employers would have to publicize salary ranges on any job posting.
“People don’t want to get underpaid, you know, everyone should know and deserve to know how much everyone is making and how much that actually benefits the company that they work for,” said Christopher Sandoval.
Officials said that employers also would have to give potential employees a schedule of benefits.
“As someone who has recently been on the job hunt, that sounds fantastic,” said John Rowley.
“I think it’s better to have people informed on what they’re getting into and know what kind of money they’re going to make and not have to waste the time applying to jobs that aren’t going to pay them well,” said Riley McCann.
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Under the bill, hiring companies are barred from asking job candidates about past salaries or screening prospective employees based on wage history.
At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson said transparency saves both sides time and money.
“Not only have you wasted an employer’s time, but you also waste your valuable time going through an interview process for a job that frankly doesn’t allow for you to pay your rent,” Henderson said.
Henderson said much of the legislation is geared at solving gender inequities.
“I appreciate that attention is being paid to wage gaps, you know, based on gender and other demographics,” said Lauren Train.
“Women are making far less than men here in the District of Columbia, and we’re hopeful that these reforms will help improve that,” Henderson said.
D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds introduced the bill. Councilmembers Brooke Pinto, Christina Henderson, Brianne K. Nadeau and Janeese Lewis George co-introduced it.
The legislation will go into effect on June 30.
It still has to be signed by Mayor Bowser and go through Congressional review.
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