President Biden's Executive Order 14069, issued on March 15, 2022, directed the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR) to explore limiting or prohibiting Federal contractors from considering job applicants' or employees' past compensation when making hiring decisions. To this end, on December 4, 2023, the FAR submitted a proposal titled "Pay Equity and Transparency in Federal Contracting" to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. The proposal was approved by OMB on January 29, 2024, and the FAR released the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which was published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2024.

The signing of SB-23-105 by Governor Jared Polis on June 5, 2023, marked a significant moment for Colorado's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. These amendments, effective January 1, 2024, are aimed at promoting greater pay transparency and fairness in the workplace. They not only extend the statute of limitations for wage discrimination claims but also introduce new mandates for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) in handling these claims. On September 23, 2023, the CDLE released the proposed Equal Pay Transparency Rules (EPT Rules), which were officially adopted on November 9, 2023.

Washington State's Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA), also known as Senate Bill 571, came into effect on January 1, 2023. The law aims to promote wage transparency and mitigate gender pay disparities. In the brief period since its implementation, a noteworthy number of lawsuits have been filed against non-compliant companies.

OutSolve is pleased to share that our own pay equity expert participated in this year’s HR.com report on the state of pay equity. The report compiles, examines, and analyzes responses from HR professionals from every industry worldwide, mostly from North America. 

Employers are increasingly disclosing pay ranges now based on new pay transparency laws. Though not required in all states, many employers including CPA firms, are using the pay transparency practice to attract and retain talent.

Hawaii is the latest state to require disclosure of wage or salary pay ranges in job listings.

The Ensure Equal Pay for Equal Work Act further defines and clarifies the difference between career progression and job opportunities.

Current research shows belief in the significance of pay equity initiatives but points to the absence of leadership and lack of transparency as roadblocks 

NJ Temporary Workers’ Bill establishes guidelines for temporary help service firms and third-party clients to ensure workers receive equal pay.