Washington Amends Pay Transparency Law - HR ALERTS
- Regina Dyerly, SHRBP, PHR
- 5 days ago
- 1 min read
Washington Amends Pay Transparency Law
Effective: April 22, 2025
New Law Update:
On April 22, 2025, the Washington State Senate passed Amended Substitute Senate Bill 5408 (Amended SSB 5408), revising the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act.The amendments maintain the pay transparency requirements but introduce significant changes to procedures, enforcement, and available remedies.
Key Changes Employers Should Know:
Fixed Pay Allowed: Employers offering only a single pay rate (rather than a range) may now post that fixed amount instead of a range, including for internal transfers.
Cure Period Introduced: Between now and July 27, 2027, employers have five business days to fix noncompliant postings after receiving written notice, avoiding penalties if corrected in time.
Clarified Definitions: A “posting” does not include job ads digitally replicated and published without employer consent.
Damages and Remedies:
Administrative penalties of $500–$1,000 for violations, plus statutory damages between $100–$5,000 per affected applicant/employee.
Private lawsuits can seek the same statutory damages plus attorneys’ fees.
Factors like employer size and willfulness may impact damages assessed.
Action Item for Employers:
Review your current job posting templates and recruiting processes to ensure compliance.
Get day-to-day updates on Washington Amends Pay Transparency Law visit the Vida HR Knowledge Center (Vida HR Clients Exclusive).
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