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Candidates "may" offer this information upfront? I feel like I'm watching Office Space

"Am I supposed to tell you my salary before even hearing your initial offer?" "Some employees choose to offer salary information, and we encourage that"

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That's why the measure comes across as empty pandering. (Hint: you can tell it's pandering because all the rationale is gender gap bullshit instead of the job application process being shitty for everyone.) If Massachusetts really wanted to improve the strength of employees with respect to employers, the legislature would do things like ban non-competes, ban non-solicits, clarify IP assignment rules, and ban mandatory binding arbitration clauses.

But what do we get instead? Identity politics pandering.

Well, it is Massachusetts, after all. Effectiveness is less important than ideology. They could also cut some of their ridiculous taxations, if they want to be more competitive. Switching from working and living in MA to working and living in NH is worth almost a 10% pay bump.

Except this would now be illegal, and while some companies/employers are shady and will try this, having this law is better than not having it.

Sometimes telling an employer your current salary is a hammer. If they are way off you can do this to get more money, but I don't tend to disclose either way.

For sure. In my current position it's definitely an advantage to disclose. But I understand the impetus behind the law.

"We want you to join us for the mission, not for the money. Be a team player and share your salary with us!"

"Yeah, and of course you'll share equity and strategic decision-making with me." Employers, executives, managers all love to move their problems onto the employees.

"We're into changing the world - we don't care about petty things like money" (CEO who owns 25% of the company)

That would be illegal according to this law, I think.

If you're currently paid well (relative to other companies), it's good idea to disclose your salary.

Why do you need to disclose your salary? It's just as easy to say "I won't accept the position for anything less than $X"

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