Other states also have pay transparency laws going into effect, like Washington and Rhode Island. Here's what to know about California's new law starting in January.
Senate Bill 1162, authored by Senator Monique Limόn and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, is a bill similar toCalifornia is home to some of the most influential companies, like Apple, Disney, Google and Meta. , women in California are paid 88 cents for every dollar a man makes, and the gap increases for women of color.
Newsom made note of that disparity when he signed 1162 into law in September, aiming to close the gap. “California has the strongest equal pay laws in the nation, but we’re not letting up on our work to ensure all women in our state are paid their due and treated equally in all spheres of life,” said Newsom. “These measures bring new transparency to tackle pay gaps, end discriminatory pricing of products based on gender and expand supports for survivors of abuse and assault.
That means existing employees can find out if their pay is within an appropriate range, and possibly negotiate for a raise.