Manley Legislation Aims to Reduce Wage Discrimination

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of her efforts to help middle-class families, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is sponsoring legislation to prevent future employers from inquiring about a potential employee’s past salary.

“April 4 was Equal Pay Day and marked how far into the next year a woman must work to earn what a man at the same job earns in one year,” said Manley. “Far too often, women and minorities have been paid less for doing the same job, which makes it harder for parents looking to build a better life for their children to do that when their paycheck is smaller than it should be.”

Historically, women and minorities have received smaller paychecks even when they complete the same work and have the same responsibilities as other employees. One way that this wage discrimination continues is by allowing employers to learn what an employee has earned in the past and make salary decisions based on that fact, rather on their work history, qualifications, past performance and responsibilities. Manley is sponsoring House Bill 2462, which prevents employers from asking employees about their wage history, to protect people from unfair discrimination.

“The middle class will be strengthened when every employee, regardless of their gender or race, are paid the same based on their qualifications and duties,” Manley said. “Elected officials have a responsibility to hard working men and women in our community to root out any policies that contribute to wage discrimination, which is exactly what this legislation does.”

For more information, please contact Manley’s constituent service office at 815-725-2741 or RepManley@gmail.com.