Some Firms Use the Practice of Requesting Salary History — Why Firms Ask for It and How They Use It

The practice of firms either requesting or requiring applicants to provide their “salary history” is coming under tremendous pressure as part of the overall push for pay equity for women. And as a result, there are many new and proposed laws about the salary history request. In my view, almost everyone that has written on the subject has failed to accurately list the reasons why firms have used the practice for so many years. So whether you oppose or support the new laws, understanding the many reasons why firms collect salary history should be part of your deliberation process.