HONOLULU (AP) — Data shows that Hawaii women make less than men in the same job, and state lawmakers have noticed.
They’re considering a bill to strengthen Hawaii’s equal pay law and help close the wage gap. Right now, lawmakers say Hawaii women earn 86 cents to every dollar a man earns.
The bill would require employees to be paid equally for “substantially similar work,” despite different job titles or locations. It would also prevent employers from requiring employees to disclose salaries made at previous jobs, and protect workers against retaliation for asking what coworkers are making.
Civil rights and women’s groups supported the bill, but some business organizations didn’t, saying it would create tension among employees.
California passed a similar law last year, which supporters say is the strictest in the country.