Kansas City, MO to Limit Salary History Use October 2019

(Last Updated On: June 25, 2019)

Special Announcement to all Kansas City, MO employers:

The City of Kansas City, MO passed an ordinance (File# 190380) amending the Human Relations Code, Chapter 38 by adding section 102. This ordinance will prohibit employers from asking for salary history from job applicants. The law will be effective on 10/31/2019.

The law makes the following an unlawful practice:

  1. Inquire about the salary history of an applicant for employment; or
  2. Screen job applicants based on their current or prior wages, benefits, or other compensation, or salary histories, including requiring that an applicant’s prior wages, benefits, other compensation or salary history satisfy minimum or maximum criteria; or
  3. Rely on the salary history of an applicant in deciding whether to offer employment to an applicant, or in determining the salary, benefits, or other compensation for such applicant during the hiring process, including the negotiation of an employment contract; or
  4. Refuse to hire or otherwise disfavor, injure or retaliate against an applicant for not disclosing his or her salary history to an employer.

There are some exceptions enumerated in the ordinance.

This law will require a review of the hiring process in place, including any documentation or forms that all applicants must complete, and may require changes to that process.

Justifacts recommends that you consult with your legal department to determine what changes, if any, need to be made to your hiring process in order to comply with this law.

The complete text of the legislation can be found here: File #190380

It is important to note that Justifacts is providing this information as a service to our clients. None of the information contained herein should be construed as legal advice, nor is Justifacts engaged to provide legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult your attorney or legal department if you want assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation.