The Albany County Legislature is moving forward with legislation that would improve transparency on job postings in an effort to give job seekers an opportunity to better negotiate wages and improve equity.

On Monday, Chairman Andrew Joyce and Legislators Carolyn McLaughlin and Vicky Plotsky introduced a local law that would amend the Albany County Omnibus Human Rights Law to require employers to provide the minimum and maximum salary or hourly wage for any position being solicited for employment.

“Pay equity is an issue which has universal impact,” said McLaughlin. “While improving personal agency and lived experiences, economic parity moves a neighborhood and a broader community forward.  We stand at a crossroads in this pandemic season when decisions must be made to hold back the tide of any additional inequalities and inequity that may exist or grow in Albany County.”

“This addition to the human rights law would help everyone get paid based on the job they are applying for rather than on prior salary. Simply requiring pay information in a job listing will help alleviate discrimination based on age, gender and race,” said Plotsky.

“One of our legislative priorities over the past year has been improving the workplace for employees throughout Albany County. Unfortunately, the issue of pay inequity is all too common and one that we know impacts certain employees more than others. Establishing salary transparency means employees will receive equal pay for equal work, a cornerstone of creating equity and inclusion in the workplace. We must do what we can to give employees the same opportunities for employment while also providing full disclosure of the salaries or wages they can expect from said employment,” said Joyce.

The local law is being referred to the Personnel and Law Committees for further review.