KANSAS CITY – Adding to the growing momentum behind gender pay equity in the workplace, the Kansas City Council today unanimously passed a resolution calling for the removal of salary history from city employment applications. Under an amendment offered by Councilwoman Jolie Justus, the resolution will also apply to city contractors and vendors, sending a message to the private sector about the need to address the gender pay gap and ensure pay equity in the workplace.
“Our research shows the gender pay gap remains a pressing issue for families in the region, and it’s great to see the Kansas City Council tackling it head-on,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Women’s Foundation. “This resolution will help break the cycle of pay inequity and ensure women applicants aren’t held back by their previous salaries. We thank Councilwoman Justus and the rest of the Council for sending a strong message that Kansas City is committed to breaking down barriers to equity and ensuring equal pay for equal work. We encourage all employers – public and private – to follow Kansas City’s lead and take steps to combat pay disparities in the workplace.”
The ordinance notes that research has shown that the practice of asking for past and current salary information by prospective employers may perpetuate gender and racial disparities in compensation.
The most recent analysis from the Women’s Foundation and the University of Missouri Institute of Public Policy shows women in Missouri who work full-time, year-round, earn 78 cents for every dollar earned by men. Women in Kansas are paid 77 cents for every dollar paid to men.
In 2015, in an effort to close the gender pay gap, Women's Foundation developed pay equity best practices in partnership with the University of Missouri. The Pay Equity Best Practice Guidelines seek to improve standards for pay equity and achieve measurable results with three best practices for employers in both the private and public sectors:
Employers Should Determine if Gender-Based Pay Disparities Exist
Reevaluate the Current Pay System from an Equity Perspective
Promote and Ensure Pay Transparency
The full report and guidelines are available at http://www.womens-foundation.org/equal-pay/
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The Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using philanthropy, research and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org