On September 14, 2016, Eleanor Norton (D.C. Representative) introduced H.R. 6030 to the House of Representatives, and that bill was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. The bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) by adding the following new Section 8:
Sec. 8. Requirements and prohibitions relating to wage, salary and benefit history
It shall be an unlawful practice for an employer to—
(1) screen prospective employees based on their previous wages or salary histories, including benefits or other compensation, including by requiring that a prospective employee’s previous wages or salary histories, including benefits or other compensation, satisfy minimum or maximum criteria, or request or require as a condition of being interviewed, or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment or as a condition of employment, that a prospective employee disclose previous wages or salary histories, including benefits or other compensation;
(2) seek the previous wages or salary history, including benefits or other compensation, of any prospective employee from any current or former employer of such employee; or
(3) discharge or in any other manner retaliate against any employee or prospective employee because the employee—
(A) opposed any act or practice made unlawful by this section or made or is about to make a complaint relating to any act or practice made unlawful by this section; or
(B) testified or is about to testify, assist, or participate in any manner in an investigation or proceeding relating to any act or practice made unlawful by this section.
The penalties section of the FLSA would be amended as follows:
(f)
(1) Any person who violates the provisions of section 8 shall—
(A) be subject to a civil penalty of $5,000 for a first offense, increased by an additional $1,000 for each subsequent offense, not to exceed $10,000; and
(B) be liable to each employee or prospective employee who was the subject of the violation for special damages not to exceed $10,000 plus attorneys’ fees, and shall be subject to such injunctive relief as may be appropriate.
(2) An action to recover the liability described in paragraph (1)(B) may be maintained against any employer (including a public agency) in any Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction by any one or more employees or prospective employees for and in behalf of himself or themselves and other employees similarly situated.
While there is little chance that this bill will receive any traction before the election, we will continue to monitor its progress and advise you of any significant changes. Please let us know if you have questions about this or any other business, employment, or labor law issue.