Pay Transparency – This new provision would protect employees’ right to ask about, discuss and disclose their pay without repercussions; includes penalties against employers for prohibiting discussions or retaliating against employees who discuss wages. This will be an amendment to the WV Human Rights Act, 5-11-1 et seq. See last year’s version, HB 4440, which was placed in the grievance section for public employees. Extend this protection to all classes covered now by the Human Rights Act (race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, blindness or disability) as well as any additional classes added in the future.
Prohibit Use of Salary History in Hiring – When employers rely on past salaries in setting pay, it perpetuates discrimination throughout the career of the person hired. See laws in CA, CN, DE, OR & VT. This will be an amendment to the Human Rights Act. Extend this protection to all classes currently covered now by the Human Rights Act (race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, blindness or disability) as well as any additional classes added in the future.
Prohibition of Confidential Settlements Act of 2019
Prohibit Confidential Settlements – In cases involving sexual harassment, sexual abuse, or sexual assault, it would be prohibited to enter into settlement agreements that would keep the financial terms or the identity of the perpetrator confidential. Violation of this new provision by an employer or an agent of an employer may be grounds for discipline or termination. This will be an amendment to the WV Human Rights Act, 5-11-1 et seq. See last year’s version, HB 4456 (2018) which was placed in the grievance section for public employees.
If you’d like to be involved in Morgantown NOW’s legislative initiatives, please contact us, morgantownnow@gmail.com.
