New law hopes to eradicate gender pay gap

In an effort to bridge the pay gap between male and female candidates, one American state has made it illegal for employers to ask jobseekers their current salary prior to offering them a position.

The new law in Massachusetts means that hiring managers will have to declare the wage they’re offering the candidate upfront, based on what the applicant is worth rather than what they’re earning.

According to the New York Times, the legislation was made into law this week by Governor Charlie Baker and is now being presented as a model for other states to follow.

By stopping employers from asking how much candidates earned in their last job, the state will ensure that the hiring bias is reduced and that issues surrounding the gender pay gap are addressed. Candidates will still be allowed to reveal their previous salary voluntarily.