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Equal Pay

Washington State has one of the worst wage gaps in the country, discriminating against women, people of color, and the LGBT community. The EOI-led Equal Pay and Opportunity Act went into effect on June 7, 2018, ending pay secrecy policies and requiring employers to provide job-related reasons for differences in pay and opportunity.

The new rights granted under this act protect and support workers as they identify wage discrimination and advocate for their deserved pay and opportunity. Coming into effect on January 1, 2020, Paid Family and Medical Leave in will further challenge the gender wage gap by guaranteeing women 12 weeks of paid leave for pregnancy and childbirth.

These added and upcoming protections support workers’ rights to equal pay and opportunity, and will push the Washington wage gap toward equity.

December 15, 2017

New Rights in Washington Help Working Families Thrive

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January 8, 2018

We Need to Update Equal Pay Laws

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June 11, 2018

The Gay Pay Gap in Washington and Impacts of Misogyny on LGBT Wages

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FEATURED PROFILE

How a Children’s Book is Fighting the Gender Pay Gap

When Emily Kim graduated from law school in 2011, the job market was bleak. She was thrilled when she landed her first position and she took the salary offered, fearing that negotiation might cost her the job.

A while later, Emily assumed a role managing the office’s budget. In comparing past years’ payroll expenditures, Emily saw something that shocked her. The man who had previously occupied the position had been paid $10,000 more.

“We had the exact same qualifications,” she said. “We graduated law school in the same year.”

Emily couldn’t believe the discrepancy. “That really amped me up, and made me hyper-aware moving forward to think about salaries and what you’re worth.”

Read more…

Research Feed

An Inclusive Economy
Growing Jobs, Stagnant Wages, Increasing Inequality and Rising Prices

The State of Working Washington: Full Report

A Fair Deal at Work
The Gay Pay Gap in Washington and Impacts of Misogyny on LGBT Wages

Finding LGBT data the government won't collect

A Fair Deal at Work
We Need to Update Equal Pay Laws
A Fair Deal at Work
Equal Pay and Opportunity

A step toward fair wages for women and better workplaces for all

Blog Feed

Equal Pay

August 22, 2019

“Equal Pay Day” Masks Difficulties Black and Brown Women Face

Black women earned as much in the last 20 months as white men did in 2018.

A Fair Deal at Work

April 12, 2019

Senate Passes Ban on Employers Asking About Wage History

Washington is poised to be the second state to ensure pay-scale transparency

Equal Pay

March 8, 2019

Five Statewide Bills to Make Women’s Lives Easier

The Legislature is making women's issues a priority this session