Wage Transparency in Massachusetts – The “Frances Perkins Workplace Equity Act” (H.B. 4890)

The “Frances Perkins Workplace Equity Act” (H.B. 4890) is a Massachusetts law enacted on July 31, 2024, aimed at promoting wage transparency and addressing pay disparities. Named after Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet, the law requires employers with 25 or more employees to disclose salary ranges in job postings, as well as when offering promotions or transfers to employees. Additionally, employers with 100 or more employees must submit demographic and pay data, categorized by race, ethnicity, gender, and job category, to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

The law, which will be enforced by the Massachusetts Attorney General, includes penalties for non-compliance and prohibits employer retaliation against employees who exercise their rights under the act. The requirements will take effect on July 31, 2025, with a two-year grace period for first-time violations.

Reference Date is July 31, 2024. [Open Source]