Only about 12% of job listings show salary ranges, but new laws will require companies to disclose expected pay rates for future employees.
Michael Leroy, Professor of Labor and Industrial Relations and Law at the University of Illinois said companies are unique in not listing salary information, as most financial transactions begin with a set price whether or not there's room for negotiation.
"(Whether) we buy an avocado, a gallon of gas or a car, that's a financial transaction that we have a price we don't have to guess," Leroy told KCBS Radio. "The thrust of this new type of law is to say the employment forming the employment relationship is no different than negotiating for a car or similar."
Leroy said more companies should showcase their pay rates so there isn't guesswork involved for applicants. The new laws coming forward in New York and California help level the playing field by making it unlawful to ask someone their salary history.
"The evidence that labor autonomous produced show that women consistently come in under men all things being held equal training, education, qualifications because they have been paid less so it perpetuates this wage disparity," he said.
Due to women making less money than men in the workplace the offer from employers is lower for women based on their salary history. Disregarding salary history puts pressure on the employer "to come forward upfront and say this is what the job is valued at," he said.
Leroy added that to be more competitive companies are advertising what the job is worth and they are getting more successful hires because of it. He said the new laws and employers' behavior are starting to move together in tandem and more companies are posting salary ranges on job listings.
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