Many job applicants wonder if they should provide their salary history on a job application. In fact, it is not required. However, knowing your salary history can help you negotiate a higher pay. If you are worried about giving away your pay, then you may want to wait until you have been offered the job.
It is important to remember that there are laws in place governing whether or not you should disclose your salary. Some states prohibit asking about your salary, while others allow it. So it is always best to check your state’s laws before submitting an employment application.
Salary history questions are also illegal in Puerto Rico and some cities, like Philadelphia, DC and Oakland. However, these laws are aimed at eliminating pay discrimination. You can still refuse to answer such a question.
If you are not comfortable talking about your pay, then you should politely decline the request. Instead, you can give a general range.
When you do answer, you should give some background on why you are giving your current salary. The reason for this may be because you are seeking better compensation.
Do I Have to Disclose Salary History?
When you are applying for a job, you may be asked about your salary history. This question can be uncomfortable for some people, but it is necessary to determine whether it is a requirement. If you don’t want to discuss your salary, you can provide a general number or explain your reasons.
In certain states, it is illegal for an employer to ask an applicant about their salary history. It is also illegal for an employer to make use of the previous salary to justify a pay difference.
You can avoid this dilemma by educating yourself on your state’s laws. Many states, including New York, prohibit employers from asking about an applicant’s salary history. There are also some cities that have enacted a salary history ban.
San Francisco has an ordinance that protects applicants from pay discrimination. However, this law does not apply to jobs outside of the city.
New York City has its own Human Rights Law, which protects employers from discrimination of any size. Similarly, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have bans on salary history inquiries.
What Should I Say When Asked For Salary History?
If you’re applying for a job, you might find yourself wondering what you should say when you’re asked about your salary history. While this question can be intimidating, you don’t have to be afraid to respond. There are three different ways you can answer this question:
The first way to answer the question is to simply give a general number. The second way is to use a more specific number. A third way is to offer a few examples of where you’ve worked and what you were paid.
When answering this question, remember to be sensitive to the company you’re working for. They may have a budget for the position. Therefore, you may have to revise your expectations. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you’re paying too much.
Another way to answer the question is to find out what the average salary is for the position you’re applying for. This will help you determine whether you are overqualified or underqualified for the position.
To figure out what the market value of a job is, check out Indeed’s Salary Calculator. This will help you determine the amount you should be earning based on your experience, industry, and location.
Why Do Applications Ask For Previous Salary?
In order to ensure that applicants are fairly compensated, employers may ask for their current salary or their expected salary. However, this can actually result in wage inequities. Some states and cities have made it illegal to ask for an applicant’s salary.
If you are a job seeker, it is likely that you have received a salary request. This request is not always in the form of a formal offer. Instead, employers may contact applicants through internal communications, post notices, or send out a mass email.
While some employers may ask for a prospective employee’s previous pay, they aren’t required to. Some people simply volunteer their past wages without asking. Regardless, the question is not a scam. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should avoid divulging information about your past compensation.
For instance, the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from asking about a prospective employee’s past salary. It covers all types of workers, including women, men, and part-time employees.
The state of Illinois has a similar ban on asking for an applicant’s salary or benefits. This legislation is based on the aforementioned gender wage gap.
How Do I Refuse to Disclose My Salary?
If you’re job hunting, you’ll probably encounter some questions about your salary. It may seem silly to not disclose your pay, but you may be compromising your negotiating power. Plus, you will likely be caught during a background check.
If you are concerned that you might be asked about your pay, be sure to take a moment to research local employment laws. Many states have wage laws that protect workers from being discriminated against in the workplace.
You may be surprised to learn that not all employers ask for your current salary. In fact, in some states, it’s illegal to request this information from an applicant. And in some cities, it’s even illegal to ask about your salary history. So, how can you avoid answering these questions?
A simple way to avoid answering these questions is to prepare yourself with a deflection. If you have an advanced degree, be prepared to say you are receiving a stipend. However, you should also clarify that it’s not your salary.
Another strategy is to mention that you don’t have a specific number in mind. Instead, you’re hoping to secure a bigger pay increase.
Is It Okay to Not Disclose Expected Salary?
If you’re looking for a new job, you may be wondering whether it’s acceptable to leave the salary field blank on your application. You can leave it empty if you don’t want to answer the question, or you can tell the hiring manager that you have no current salary information.
But be careful. Leaving the salary field blank could limit your options for salary negotiations. And if the employer finds out that you aren’t willing to meet the minimum requirements, you can find yourself eliminated from the running.
Leaving the salary field empty will also help you avoid answering a salary history question. Hiring managers want to ensure that your salary range is in line with your salary expectations.
However, if you don’t have a specific range in mind, it can be helpful to fill in placeholder numbers. This will give you more flexibility later.
After determining your appropriate range, you can follow up with concrete numbers during the hiring process. For example, you might mention that you are open to discussing your compensation once you know more about the position.
What States is It Illegal to Ask Previous Salary?
If you are planning on hiring a new employee, you may want to look into the state laws surrounding salary history. In some states, asking about an applicant’s previous wages and salaries is illegal. However, some employers can still ask for information about an applicant’s previous compensation, if the applicant is willing to provide it.
There are several reasons why some employers might want to ask for an applicant’s past salary and compensation. For instance, the salary history question can give an employer an idea of what a candidate’s current wage might be. It can also help them to determine whether or not the candidate will be able to meet the salary and other requirements of the job.
Currently, it is legal to ask an applicant’s salary history in 28 states, including California, Illinois, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, and Washington. However, the salary history question ban is not in effect in the following four states: Alaska, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico.
Although it is not illegal for an employer to ask about an applicant’s salary history, it is illegal to do so in many cities. This is particularly true in the District of Columbia, Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.
Learn More Here:
2.) Salary Data
3.) Job Salaries