Washington, D.C. is set to launch a new era of pay transparency and equity, as a law requiring employers to disclose salary ranges in job postings is scheduled to take effect on June 30. This legislative move, known as the Wage Transparency Omnibus Amendment Act, is a game-changer for job seekers in the nation's capital who will now have upfront knowledge of a job's pay scale before applying. JD Supra reported the new law will apply to both public job postings and internal job adverts and is even extended to cover descriptions of other benefits such as healthcare and bonuses before the first interview.

Private employers of any size must comply with the law, whether they are headquartered in D.C. or not, as long as they have at least one employee in the district. According to a piece on Mintz, the law is inclusive and does not distinguish between those working full-time or part-time, and even those working remotely in D.C. screen their operations through the prism of this amendment. The new requirements are part of broader efforts across various jurisdictions to enhance pay transparency and tackle wage discrimination.

Employers will not only need to change the way they advertise and post jobs but will also need to reconsider how they ask about an applicant's pay history. As outlined by The National Law Review, the law prohibits inquiries about an applicant’s past wages, a move aimed at preventing the perpetuation of income disparities.

Enforcement of the Amendment falls under the purview of the Attorney General's office, which can bring forth civil court actions but does not grant a private right of action to individuals. Employers may face steep fines for non-compliance, scaling from $1,000 for a first violation to $20,000 for each subsequent offense. These penalties underscore the city's commitment to enforcing the law and ensuring that workplaces across the District meet this new standard in hiring transparency and fairness.