Can you ask about salary history in Washington State?
Washington's Equal Pay and Opportunities Act generally restricts asking applicants about their wage or salary history. You can ask about expectations, and in limited cases confirm history only after an offer.
Washington generally prohibits employers from seeking an applicant's wage or salary history. The law allows limited steps, such as confirming history after an offer with agreed pay is made, but the up-front question is the risky one.
Washington also requires disclosing the pay range to applicants in certain circumstances. Keep early conversations on expectations rather than past pay.
Risky phrasing
“Before we go further, what are you earning now?”
Compliant rewrite
What pay range are you looking for in your next role?
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