Equal Pay for Equal Work Act signed in Colorado Email
Written by Cherie Courtade   
Tuesday, July 09, 2019 04:00 AM

equal pay actColorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, SB19-085, was signed into law on May 22, 2019. The law allows employees to bring a civil lawsuit alleging wage discrimination based on the employee’s sex. Previously, enforcement of wage discrimination complaints were handled by Colorado’s director of the division of labor standards and statistics.

The disputed wage differential may based on other factors including merit, seniority, and geographic location. The law also sets some requirements regarding job announcements and transparency in pay and employment opportunities.

The act requires transparency in pay by prohibiting employers from asking candidates for salary or wage history, relying on such to determine an employee’s compensation, or discriminating against candidates who do not disclose a salary or wage history.

Some notable provisions of the law:

  • Employers may not prohibit employees from disclosing their pay rate.
  • Employers must keep records of job descriptions and wage rate history for employees and keep them for two years after the end of employment.
  • Compensation rates or a salary/wage range must be including each job posting made.
  • Job openings must be announced to all current employees on the same day,
  • Announcements of job openings must be made to all current employees prior to making a promotion decision.

Read the full bill.

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW:
Governor proclaims Smart Irrigation Month 2019
Meeting the water crisis: Gross Reservoir
FAMLI task force to meet July 12
New state law requires water-efficient sprinklers