The Wage Equity Act of 2023 aims to address gender-based wage discrimination through several measures. The bill prohibits employers from asking job applicants about their previous wages or using wage history to set new employee salaries, though applicants can voluntarily share this information. It protects employees' right to discuss their own wages and ask about pay differences, while allowing employers to set reasonable limits on when and where such conversations occur. The legislation also creates a safe harbor for employers who conduct internal wage audits within three years before any lawsuit is filed and take steps to fix identified wage gaps, though employers who don't conduct audits cannot be penalized for that choice. Additionally, the bill authorizes grants for wage negotiation skills education programs targeting women and girls through schools and community organizations, and requires the Government Accountability Office to study the causes of wage disparities between men and women.
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