The City of Cincinnati adopted an ordinance prohibiting employers from asking about or relying on prior salary history of prospective employees in setting starting pay. The new law was adopted on March 13, 2019 and will go into effect on March 13, 2020.
Key Provisions under the ordinance will apply to any employers located in the City of Cincinnati who employee at least 15 employees or more within the city.
An employer may not:
- Inquire about an applicant’s salary history;
- Screen job applicants based on their current or prior compensation or their salary history;
- Rely on salary history when deciding to offer employment, when determining salary or other compensation, or when negotiating an employment contract; or
- Refuse to hire, otherwise disfavor, or retaliate against an applicant for not disclosing their salary history.
Employers are allowed to ask whether applicants have salary expectations and may inquire about prior productivity information such sales and revenue reports.
Cincinnati employers should review and update their hiring practices to reflect this new law.
For additional guidance on addressing the new law, contact any of our Labor and Employment Attorneys for more information.
